A 52-year-old man who had sex with a 14-year-old boy a number of times was yesterday sentenced to 16 months in jail after admitting to defiling the teenager last October.

The man, who cannot be named by court order to protect the victim, stood in the dock unshaven and looking scruffy, before he was asked what he would be pleading.

Speaking only to confirm his particulars, the man said he was unemployed and would need a legal aid lawyer.

After the accused declared he was pleading guilty to the charges of defiling the boy and participating in sexual acts with him, Police Inspector Melvyn Camilleri and defence lawyer Joseph Ellis discussed the case at the bench with Magistrate Charmaine Galea.

Their friendship developed into something sinister

The man met the boy at a band club as both of them were involved in the organisation of the locality’s feast.

As the months went by, the friendship developed into something sinister and the man had sex with the boy on about five occasions.

The magistrate noted the young age of the victim and that the sex was consensual before handing down judgment.

The court placed the boy under a protection order for three years, starting from the time the man serves his time.

The magistrate warned him that if he tried to speak to the teenager he would face a hefty fine and imprisonment.

She also told him not to frequent the band club either and the man pointed out that the boy had stopped going there.