A man who had sex with a teenage girl and is now married to her has been placed on probation for two years after she renounced criminal action against him once she reached the age of 18.

The man, who cannot be named by court order, was charged with participating in sexual acts with his now wife when she was 15 years old and he was 25, in 2008 and 2009.

He was also charged with committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended jail term.

Magistrate Jacqueline Pado­vani heard that the couple were now married and had three children. She took into consideration the special circumstances of the case before placing the man on probation.

She also ordered that a suspended jail term be extended. Law­yers Franco Debono and Ma­rion Camilleri were defence counsel.

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