Unnamed sex offender

The story of a 41-year-old man who pleaded guilty to an indecent assault on a 21-year-old woman is sickening enough, but for the courts not to allow the publication of the offender's name is an insult to every citizen of Malta, sex offenders excluded.

In all civilised societies once the guilt of a sex offender is established, the name is made known as part of the punishment, but more importantly to protect other citizens.

In Australia, where I live, sex offenders and/or violent indecent offenders will never qualify to adopt any children. In my view, this offender has forfeited his right to foster. In a country that prides itself to be the stronghold of Catholicism, where religion plays a vital part in everyday life of all Maltese and where legislators and the government have to make all the decisions based on moral grounds and gain the approval of the Church, it is a sad and bad indictment on the courts, the government and the clergy when justice for its victims and citizens is not pursued.