The young woman who admitted making up sex allegations against her father should be put on probation and given community service, according to a pre-sentencing report.

Leanne Camilleri repeatedly lied about being sexually abused by her father, Emanuel. The allegations had started in 2004, when she was eight years old, until recently, when she retracted her claims.

Mr Camilleri, 42, spent nearly 400 days in jail after he was found guilty of defiling his daughter.

He was serving a two-year term but was provisionally released by order of the Constitutional Court pending the outcome of a criminal case against his former wife.

Ms Camilleri says she was coerced into making the claims by her mother, Lisa May, who is pleading not guilty to perjury. Probation officer Antonia Spagnol told the court yesterday that Ms Camilleri had a difficult upbringing because her parents had separated when she was seven.

Her father was never present as a result of the separation and she had a lot of anger directed towards her mother. The two fought constantly.

The daughter has two part-time jobs as a carer and is in a steady relationship with a woman. She is in contact with a social worker and a psychologist.

Ms Spagnol said Ms Camilleri told her she wanted to live with her father but there might be problems with his partner.

The probation officer said she also spoke to the father who said that, although he forgave his daughter, she had to assume responsibility for her actions.

Ms Spagnol said that, as punishment, she recommended that Ms Camilleri was placed on probation for three years and ordered to do community service for 100 hours. She should also be ordered to seek psychological help.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke is expected to hand down judgment on September 15.