Man found guilty of defiling daughter
A 53-year-old man from Cospicua was this morning jailed five years after he was found guilty of defiling his nine-year-old daughter.
Taking the witness stand the girl's mother, who has since left her husband, said that their nine-year-old daughter had informed her that her father had touched her breasts six or seven times.
This happened at the Addolorata Cemetery on three occasions and at a cemetery in Guardamangia in other instances.
The father had also touched the girl's private parts in the matrimonial bed when the daughter was lying down between her parents and the mother was asleep.
The wife told the court about her husband's aggressiveness and said that he used to beat her up. She said the family lived in fear of the man.
Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani said she found the girl's version of events to be credible.
Taking the witness stand the girl said several times she loved her father and could not understand why he had to put her through such horrible experiences.
The court pushed and questioned the girl she remained solid in her testimony.
The father always denied guilt.
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Mr Joe Xuereb
Oct 1st 2011, 12:49
Yet again, many refuse to see the serious difference between Church abuse and the same abuse within society at large. Heavy investment in anything brings about denial, and obduracy, as a tactic for 'survival'. And the paradox is - and a very interesting and telling one at that - that those that uphold the Church cannot see the scandal caused therein by some of the priests who cannot keep 'it' in their 'cassock' whatever their sexual orientation. Of course to admit to the scandal would turn their shakey world on its head. As in, once they admit to something that goes against their grain, they have to deal with the new 'knowledge' and take it from there. But all this would be to horrendous for their fragile identity (built on religion) so they continue denying. They are forever stuck.
Are you there Cowie, Gerry?
I have said all this a thousand times before. It reinforces what I am about and strengthens anyone who is not terrified of understanding me. The rest be damned. And yes. I am a secularist and more importantly, an atheist. So I can afford to award myself a clarity of vision that admittedly, does not render my life any easier. But it feels more real. As in, 'look mummy, no hands!' It's all about growing up, maturing, taking responsibility for words and actions, and getting a life.
C Conti
Oct 1st 2011, 12:37
i think that he should have got more than five years since five years are not enough to punish someone doing those dishonest things to his own child!
A Saliba
Oct 1st 2011, 23:11
Totally agree he and those like him should be put in a prison like Alcatraz.
S. Camilleri
Sep 30th 2011, 23:07
Nauseatingly sick!
Mr william cauchi
Sep 30th 2011, 20:25
For people like this guy, we need to have a prison on Filfla.
Remember that film Papillion, something similar, and let rot them there.
OK everybody makes mistakes, but some ''mistakes'' when repeated and with total disregard are completely unforgivable.....
Stephen Frendo
Sep 30th 2011, 20:04
5 years prison!! loooool ....Only in Malta!!
Gerry Cowie
Sep 30th 2011, 19:35
This is one story that the secularists and humanists do not wish to read, because it reminds them that abuse is rife within secular society and in families. How strange that not one of the usual list of people who barrack the Church at every opportunity are nowhere to be seen at this point commenting on this terrible abuse!
Mr Ernest Vella
Sep 30th 2011, 21:37
prosit Gerry...bhalissa kollha jaghlqu halqhom ma jmorrux jghidulna li l-missirijiet kollha jabbuzaw...ghalhekk jizzewgu u jkollhom it-tfal. Hasra li jrid ikun abbuzz min missier (allegat abbuzz by the way) biex niftakru li mhux il-qassisin kollha jabbuzaw imma ftit hdejn haddiehor.
Mr Peter Korsten
Sep 30th 2011, 21:55
@Gerry Cowie:
What, exactly, is your point? And why are you confusing secularism and atheism? Perhaps it's time for a little refresher course?
Ms Rita Smith
Sep 30th 2011, 23:17
I always mentioned the abuses that are committed within the family. I think the priests' absuses are a small percentage compared to what happens in families. But these abuses are rarely in the media because people are afraid of scandal. I wonder if this father is going to compensate his daughter moneywise.
R. Smith
Mr Carmelo Aquilina
Oct 1st 2011, 07:48
Perhaps Gerry could reflect on the fact that
a) the church would still hope that this couple remain married because God wants them to remain so and
b) this paedophile abuser never lectured us on morality
c) this abuse has been properly dealt with by the authorities something the Catholic church in Malta seems unable to admit !
Roger Tirazona
Oct 1st 2011, 16:11
@Gerry Cowie
Humanists do not wish to read stuff like this for the simple reason that thy are sad. Abuse is found everywhere Mr. Cowie and there is no argument for or against secularism here but just a human tragedy. Nobel Prize Winner Steven Weinberg said "With or without religion, a good person will do good and a bad person will do bad; but for a good man to do bad, it takes religion". In this case religion has nothing to do with the abuser's actions, but it was not a deterrent either, especially if he had the audacity to do what he did in a cemetery.
Mr Joe Xuereb
Sep 30th 2011, 19:19
Such cases commited by 'ordinary people' are disgusting and disturbing and bring shame on the perpetrator and very likely, his family. The same action committed by a priest is different. People entrust their faith and salvation in a priest. When a priest abuses children it is, therefore, a serious scandal and undermines the spiritual security of believers. So the two instances are entirely different in context. Meaning, it is not a question of some grasping the opportunity to attack the Church. People could demonstrate in the streets against priestly abuse. But they would not need to do this in this case, or a grandfather abusing his grandchild. We must recognise the sharp distinction between the two cases.
Kevin Camilleri
Sep 30th 2011, 18:24
If instead of this man who did this TO HIS OWN DAUGHTER was a priest, till now comments would have been over a hundred. But every excuse is good to preach and shout against the church.
Isn't it a much more obscene act to do this against your own daughter than being "just" the carer of the child?
I'm not saying this to protect the priests, because what they did was disgusting and they should get the punishment for what they did, but I'm saying this to point out that everybody nowadays is ready to throw stones to the church!
May this girl get a much happier life going forward, hope she closes this chapter as soon as possible.
Mr Manuel Scicluna
Sep 30th 2011, 17:43
What a shame on this man.Put him where he belongs
M. Bezzina
Sep 30th 2011, 17:32
biex bniedem jasal jaghamel daw l affarijiet hziena sinjalli jkollu xihaga go mohhu mhux tahdem sewwa ,fl opinjoni tijaj ghandu jihu l kundanna li haqqu izda qabel jigi invistat minn psikjatra u jekk hemm bzonn jghamel xi zmien f sezzjoni mentali taht sigurta ,ma naqbilx ma min jinsulentah jew jixtieqlu l hazen, ma tistawx tghidu f liema sitwazzjoni tistaw tigu intom uliedkom jew familjari tghakhom
FRANS H SAID
Sep 30th 2011, 17:30
On the same principle as those 7 or 9 wanting compensation, does the girl have any right for compensation for this ............?
Joseph V Savona
Sep 30th 2011, 19:11
Compensation from whom Mr Said......the church??????
Alexandra Abela
Sep 30th 2011, 16:58
I think that this thing , I won't call him a pig as I do not want to insult pigs should be tortured for the rest of his life. Him and any other that defiles a child. I don't agree with capital punishment because his suffering would not be long enough in that case.
Claire Bezzina
Sep 30th 2011, 16:01
what a disgrace!!! 5 years is no enough!!
Mr Michael Buhagiar
Sep 30th 2011, 14:33
the pig should be put in jail and the key thrown away so that he can die in jail like the pig he was. Where are those vociferous voices which condemned the priests? Where are they now to condemn this man?
Ms Maria Vella
Sep 30th 2011, 16:32
Mr. Buhagiar
you are insulting the pig species - a human being like this should not be associated with any kind of animal.
Mr M Farrugia
Sep 30th 2011, 17:02
Very well said Michael. This continue to confirm the hidden agenda of those who condemn the priest.
David Caruana
Sep 30th 2011, 17:30
I condemn such disgusting actions - be it done by this cospicua man or by a priest.
There is NO difference whatsoever if the person who commits such acts wears a cloth or not - they are simply disgusting!
And yes, this young girl should have the possibility to sue her own father for moral damages and request a hefty financial compensation.
Wilfred Camilleri
Sep 30th 2011, 17:52
Shouldn't the girl and her mother sue this man's employer? After all when a priest is accused of a similar crime many accuse the whole Church and ask for the Church to be sued as well. I'm not trying to make light of how heinous this crime is but those with an agenda against the Church would have flooded this story with attacks against the Church if the accused were a priest.
Ms Marianne Mercieca
Sep 30th 2011, 18:11
@ Wilfred Camilleri
Very well said...I wouldn't change a word of your statement!!
Mr Chris Mifsud
Sep 30th 2011, 18:50
@Wilfred Camilleri - I completely disagree with you. The church was responsible because the Priests committed their pedophile acts while they were supposed to be doing their job. They were representing the church when they did what they did and they did it on church property. The church trusted these pedophiles to look after children.
Mr Ernest Vella
Sep 30th 2011, 21:40
bla bla bla....the goverment therefore is responsible for he gave permission to this creature to abuse of a child in his care...Goverment prepare the cheque book.
Ms Rita Smith
Sep 30th 2011, 23:23
Mr. Chris Mifsud this father should have been protecting his daughter and not abuse her. As should have done the priests because they were their responability and the father? that was his responability too, Don't you think so.
Rita Smith
Mr Mark Demicoli
Sep 30th 2011, 14:23
Sick!!! I just love to think what the other prisoners will do to this monster!
Ms C. Dimech
Sep 30th 2011, 14:03
Jailed for 5 years??? So i take it that defiling a child is no biggie it seems...
Tony Mangion
Sep 30th 2011, 13:57
If this criminal is a human being, I would rather be a dog.
Mark Galea
Sep 30th 2011, 13:48
shouldn't the father pay compensation? Something around Eur 1,000,000 should do.
Deo Catania
Sep 30th 2011, 16:20
Tipruvax tuza dan il-kas biex tiddefendi kas iehor, drajnik bizzejjed lilek.
Mr Ernest Vella
Sep 30th 2011, 21:40
Deo...il-ligi mhux ugwali ghal kulhadd?
Mr Peter Murray
Sep 30th 2011, 13:39
Name and Shame this paedophile so others may be aware of who is among their midst!
cettina portelli
Sep 30th 2011, 16:59
no. i dont agree. naming and shaming means that this girl and her family will have to carry this for the rest of their lives. let the other prisoners loose on him and let his wife and daughter move on.
Ms Marianne Mercieca
Sep 30th 2011, 18:09
Dear Mr. Murray,
He's not a priest so he cannot be named...... apparently only paedophile priests can be named, photograhed and videod in this country!!