Magistrate insists on jail term in girl's defilement case

A 20-year-old Libyan man was yesterday jailed for two years for defiling a 13-year-old girl as she was walking home from school last week.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti handed down the punishment after noting that he disagreed with both the defence and the prosecution who had suggested a suspended jail term.

Nabil Kelfe Hipleg pleaded guilty to the violent indecent assault of the girl, holding her against her will and defiling her in Mgarr, Malta, on Tuesday at about 2.45 p.m.

Police Inspector Paul Bond, prosecuting, told the magistrate the girl filed a police report claiming that on her way home a man approached her and asked her for the time. When she stopped to reply, he jumped on her and started kissing her. She hit him and immediately went to file a police report after which, accompanied by officers, she went to the field where the man worked and singled him out.

Magistrate Grixti ruled he did not agree with the prosecution and the defence who both suggested that Mr Hipleg be granted a suspended jail term.

The magistrate ruled that Mr Hipleg must answer for his actions, which were committed against a minor.

Lawyer Patrick Valentino was defence counsel.