Jailed for corrupting a young girl

A 30-year-old Egyptian was yesterday jailed for three years and one month after he was found guilty of morally corrupting an 11-year-old girl.

Kimu Mohamed Hikam, who had originally told the police he was an Iraqi from Basra, had been charged with exposing himself in front of an 11-year old in Attard on January 2 last year. He was further charged with offending public morals.

The girl was in a car while her parents visited a woodwork factory where Hikam worked. When her parents went out of the factory they found their daughter crying and she told them that "an Arab" had exposed himself in front of her.

Hikam was investigated and initially told the police that as he was handling a piece of wood a splinter had embedded itself in his thigh and he had taken off his pants to remove it.

He then changed his version twice and the court said the fact that he had given false particulars and that he gave different versions showed he was not credible. On the other hand, the 11-year-old girl was consistent in her version.

Inspectors Louise Vella and Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.

Dr Kris Busietta appeared for the accused.