A man addicted to child pornography was handed a suspended sentence on Monday after pleading guilty to having knowingly obtained and shared pornographic material related to minors.

Kevin Mifsud, 44 of Siġġiewi, was also ordered to undergo compulsory psychotherapy.

The court heard that the material had been downloaded from porn sites on the internet and the subjects involved were not Maltese.

The man was arrested following an anonymous tip-off to the police.

Mr Mifsud's lawyers told the court that their client’s troubles stemmed from a serious personal condition which needed to be treated.

Prosecuting inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Paula Ciantar confirmed that the man had also expressed his need to seek help to overcome his addiction.

Magistrate Rachel Montebello declared the accused guilty and condemned him to a two-year jail term suspended for four years.

The court also placed the accused under a treatment order so as to receive the necessary psychotherapy and other medical assistance required to overcome his condition.

The court also ordered the confiscation and destruction of the pornographic material seized by the police.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.

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