An Algerian man was placed on probation for three years after admitting to defiling his niece and performing sexual acts with her on a number of occasions.

The man, whose name cannot be published by court order so as to protect the identity of the young girl, admitted to indecently touching the girl while she was asleep.

The court heard how the indecent acts took place at the grandmother's house when she visited her between December 2013 and April last year. The court also heard how the man had an alcohol problem.

Before Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, the man pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him. He was placed on probation while the court issued a three-year protection order for the minor.

Police Inspectors Sylvana Briffa and Roderick Agius prosecuted while lawyer Patrick Valentino appeared for the man.

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