Man found guilty of defiling underage girlfriend, now his wife

A man who began a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl in 2008, when he was 20, was today given a suspended jail term after being found guilty of defiling the minor, whom he married years later.

The couple, who are now married and have a two-year-old daughter, had their first encounter on the rocky beach in Qui Si Sana and later ones on the beach in Balluta and in a friend's flat in Ġzira.

At one point they broke up and the girl began dating someone else. However, they were soon back together and started meeting daily and having regular sex.

The girl's parents did not approve of the relationship because of the man's reputation as a "bad boy" and a "bully".

Former Magistrate, now Judge, Jacqueline Padovani said the girl was still a virgin when the two embarked on their sexual relationship and this had caused the defilement of the girl which was evident from the way she testified.

The girl said that after she lost her virginity she felt confused, scared and very worried.

The judge said that she had found him guilty of defiling a minor and jailed him for two years suspended for four.

She took into consideration that both were young and the girl's parents plea not to hand down an effective jail term.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the man.