A 31-year-old man indecently assaulted a girl of 12 after striking up an internet chat with her and arranging to meet her on a date.

Renald Pisani was handed down a suspended jail term after admitting to defiling the girl and participating in sexual acts with her.

The internet chatting took place in December and before.

Mr Pisani's arraignment was over in a matter of minutes.

Police inspector Louise Calleja and defence lawyer Jose' Herrera approached the magistrate and discussed the case in privacy at her bench.

Returning to their positions, Magistrate Edwina Grima promptly passed judgment and jailed the man for two years suspended for four.

Dr Herrera asked for a ban on publication of his client's name but the court turned down the request.

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