When in Italy, don’t throw stones
Tourist could face jail because of seven-year-old son’s alleged actions
A British tourist is facing jail after his son was accused of throwing a small stone from the top of Florence’s famous Duomo.
According to newspaper reports, seven-year-old Simon Rowe was left traumatised after being surrounded by police, taken to a police station and kept in a cell for three hours – despite the fact that he denied ever throwing a stone.
Officers found that Simon had a small piece of terracotta, and then found similar pieces that had been thrown from the bell-tower of the famous church. Italian law says anyone convicted of such a thing can be punished with a month in prison.
Simon’s father told the Daily Mail: “It was just like something out of a film. Simon was absolutely traumatised and was crying his eyes out. I just don’t see how they can treat ordinary tourists like this – we were treated like common criminals. Originally we were prepared to pay the fine but the more I thought about it, the more I resent having to pay anything.”
The Florence authorities are still stating that they have enough evidence to prosecute, and are still insisting that Simon’s father Jonathan pays a £300 fine, or face a jail sentence.
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