Italy arrests six accused of drugging, abusing pupils

Italian police yesterday arrested three female teachers and a female janitor and two men accused of drugging at least five primary schoolchildren in order to abuse them sexually.

Lawyers representing the families of the five children said it was not yet known if more children were involved at the school, which is for children aged three to five, on the outskirts of Rome.

A group of parents raised the alert when they noticed their children behaving strangely.

"They saw their children return home from school disturbed and they realised their behaviour was a bit strange," one of the lawyers, Antonio Caramonte, said. The six arrested included the husband of one of the teachers and a second man identified as a Sri Lankan. They were being held in police custody pending formal charges.

Giosue Naso, a lawyer defending one of the teachers, said his client "declares herself completely innocent".