Former mini-bus driver admits violent indecent assault

A 34-year-old man this morning admitted to having committed a violent indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl, defiling and corrupting her.

The man, a former mini-bus driver, exchanged mobile telephone numbers with the girl and then met her outside school hours. His advances were stopped by the girl and he did not continue, police sources said. Her mother got to know what happened and reported the case to the police.

The details of the case were discussed at the bench between the prosecution, the defence and the Magistrate.

On returning, defence counsel Gianella Caruana Curran said her client was pleading guilty. Police Inspector Fabian Fleri said the accused had fully cooperated with the police and had no previous serious convictions.

Magistrate Edwina Grima handed down a two-year jail term suspended for two years.