Judge says man guilty of defilement should be easily identified

A 38-year-old man, who was jailed for three years for defiling a five year-old girl, had his sentence reduced to a two-year jail term suspended for four years after a court took into consideration his mental state.

Anthony Camilleri of Tarxien, a former Baystreet employee, was found guilty of defiling the girl at a Baystreet games room at about 2.15 p.m. on December 10, 2006.

Before handing down judgment, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, sitting in the Court of Criminal Appeal, took into consideration Mr Camilleri's mental health after a psychiatric report was drawn up. He recommended in the judgment that Mr Camilleri's name be mentioned in any media report so that he can be identified easily by society and so avoid any further problems.

The report showed that he had a history of mental health problems and that he behaves at below the average level of intellectual functioning. Thus, imprisonment would only serve to amplify his problems.

For these reasons, Mr Justice Galea Debono reduced the sentence and ordered Mr Camilleri to be put under strict and constant supervision for four years.

Police Inspectors Carla Ellul prosecuted.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli and José Herrera were defence counsel.