Federico Testa-Cuttitta placed on good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to one count of indecent assault and resisting police

A once highly scouted soccer player admitted he groped a woman while working at an Adelaide’s supermarket. But a magistrate had a ‘complete turn around’ over Federico Testa-Cuttitta.

A once highly scouted soccer star cried as he thanked the magistrate for having a last-minute change of mind, allowing him to walk without a conviction after touching a woman in Adelaide’s south.

Federico Testa-Cuttitta, 29, received no conviction and was placed on a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to one count of indecent assault and resisting police in the Christies Beach Magistrate Court.

In her sentencing, Magistrate Natalie Browne told the court she had changed her original course of action in terms of sentencing for Testa-Cuttitta after his defence counsel argued the offending was on the lower scale.

Federico Testa Cuttitta pleaded guilty to indecent assault. Picture: Facebook

At an earlier court hearing, it was submitted that a woman was shopping for pastries at Pasadena Foodland back in August of 2022, when she felt someone touch her behind.

Testa-Cuttitta was working at the Foodland in the cafe section as a waiter.

“The defendant is dressed in all black carrying a plate in one hand while swinging his other arm back and forth, it’s quite evident he stops swinging and drags his hand across his buttocks,” the police prosecutor said.

“He returns approximately 40 seconds later, touching her once again.

“She (the victim) approached the defendant after the incident having a brief conversation before leaving the store distressed.”

The court heard in Testa-Cuttitta’s police interview he admitted to touching her but did apologise, which “made it okay”.

Testa-Cuttitta was arrested and spent 55 minutes in custody.

In relation to the resisting police charge, Testa-Cuttitta was stopped for not wearing a helmet along Brighton Road in September of the same year.

Magistrate Browne acknowledged Testa-Cuttitta’s difficult upbringing under a controlling father and lack of criminal history.

“Indecent assault is a very serious charge … I note you’ve found it difficult to explain what you did but that you’ve taken full responsibility for the behaviour,” Magistrate Browne said.

“You suffer from mental health issues which are related to your childhood traumas … You are waiting to obtain a visa to reside in Australia.

“Given your circumstances, I will take the unusual approach and will impose without conviction … This is a chance to prove to yourself to stay out of trouble.

“I just had a complete turn around in what I was going to do.”

Testa-Cuttitta was placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond.