A man who married his teenage sweetheart 25 years ago, when he was just 16, yesterday obtained a divorce after proving in court that the child he brought up was not his.

The couple had met when he was 14 and she 16. They then decided to get married and did so in secret after she turned 18.

She became pregnant soon afterwards but the man suspected she had been unfaithful. However, she had reassured him that their baby girl was his.

It was only after 25 years of marriage that DNA testing became available and he decided to have his daughter tested, the court heard.

Testifying during the proceedings, the man said that although he was sexually attracted to his wife, he did not love her.

She said she was sure the child was his right up until the results of the tests came through.

Judge Noel Cuschieri said that from the evidence produced, it resulted that their marriage, although lasting 25 years, was a superficial one and he dissolved it.