Stefano Voci, a forklift truck operator, was caught on camera biting and nuzzling the boy at The Crucible in Sheffield but police ended their investigation this week
The man caught on camera nibbling a child’s ear at the World Snooker Championships was an Italian holidaymaker, according to reports.
Stefano Voci, 43, is said to have defended the incident, during which he bit and nuzzled the boy at The Crucible in Sheffield city centre. It happened as seven-time World Snooker Championships winner Stephen Hendry appeared on live television as he analysed an ongoing match and many viewers expressed outraged online.
It is now understood the child is Mr Voci’s relative. Mr Voci, an Italian national, penned a heartfelt social media post, in which he described the behaviour as a normal means of expressing affection towards a loved one.
Mr Voci, a forklift truck operator, wrote online: “There are many clarifications to make but everything is in process (sic). I was just someone sharing love and affection like anyone else, that was exposed maliciously.”
But South Yorkshire Police had investigated the moment, until the force ended its probe earlier this week. The constabulary said “officers have determined no crime has been committed”.
In his post, Mr Voci, who was visiting relatives in Sheffield from his home at Desio near Milan, went on to identify his relationship to the boy, which we are not stating to help protect the youth’s identity.
“My family are fine and closer than ever, I don’t care that my face is all over social media with photomontages and fake posts. Just leave my family alone. God bless you all and best wishes to you all,” Mr Voci continued.
In the footage in April, the boy seemed unfazed as he noticed he could be seen on the live broadcast and then smiled and waved towards the camera as the man pulled back.
Mr Voci then apparently realised that he was being recorded and broke out in a cheesy grin before wobbling his head back and forth. A police spokesperson said earlier this week “Following review of the video, officers have determined no crime has been committed and the investigation has been filed.”