Cleared of defiling daughter

A man has been cleared of defiling his 10-year-old daughter seven years ago after a magistrate ruled that evidence showed that the minor's allegations "could not be the case".

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona cleared the man after examining the evidence given by his daughter several times and noting that the man was in jail during the period of the alleged defilement.

The girl claimed she was defiled at the home where she lived with her parents and brother in December 1999 and the previous two years.

Moreover, the magistrate added, evidence given by a psychiatrist pointed towards the man's innocence.

In this case the circumstances and the truth favoured the version of the accused and not of his daughter, Magistrate Micallef Trigona concluded in a three-page judgment.

Names and particulars are not being published to protect the identity of the minor.

Police Inspectors Sharon Tanti and Louise Calleja prosecuted.

Lawyer Joseph Brincat appeared for the man.