Arrests in gang rape of two British girls

MILAN: Police in southern Italy have arrested four men and are investigating another four on suspicion of sexually assaulting two British girls at a villa where a party was being held, authorities said yesterday.

The 15-year-old tourists met the male suspects at the party they attended with an adult sister in the southern province of Matera.

Police said two of the young Italian males won their trust by acting in a friendly manner while also taking advantage of the girls’ “altered state” from consuming alcohol.

As the party of about 50 people went on inside the villa, the adult sister lost sight of the girls, investigators said.

The girls contacted police several hours later, and were treated at a hospital.