A man who indecently assaulted a woman, held her against her will and relapsed has been placed on probation for three years after admitting all charges.

In a pre-sentencing report, Aldo Muscat, 41, from Mellieħa, had denied committing the crime and said he only admitted the charges because the police told him to and get the case out of the way.

The incident took place in St Paul’s Bay on October 7. Sources said the two met at a bar and went on to her flat.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella said that if he did not commit the crime he would have denied it in court, especially when considering the seriousness of the accusations.

After considering the case she found that his admission still stood and that he admitted to the crime because he had actually done it.

In the report Mr Muscat’s probation officer had claimed jailing him was not the ideal form of punishment and that community service was the best option.

Magistrate Vella disagreed as Mr Muscat owned two businesses. She said that after taking into consideration the case, the fact that the victim was not interested in the case and the defendant’s character, a period of probation would be ideal.