A man who tried to force himself onto a young female passenger on a bus trip on Tuesday has been given a 16-month jail term after admitting to the assault.

Somali-born Abdulahi Ahmed Bashir, 25, was arrested after police received a report of the violent episode which happened in board daylight, at around 3pm.

The 22-year old woman said she was suddenly groped by a stranger seated behind her on the bus. The man, apparently drunk, put his hands on her breasts and tried to kiss her. When she tried to push him away, he bit her hand, slightly injuring it in the process. 

The culprit was taken to court on Thursday where, with the help of two interpreters, he pleaded guilty to the attempted violent indecent assault, holding his victim against her will and slightly injuring her.

The man, also a relapser, was further charged with being drunk in public, leading a vagrant and idle life and committing such wrongdoing during the operative period of a suspended sentence.

Mr Bashir admitted to the charges, leading duty magistrate Joseph Mifsud to declare him guilty and jail him for 16-months. The operative period of the accused’s suspended sentence, handed down in 2014, was extended by a further year, commencing from today.

The court also issued a three-year protection order in favour of the victim whose name was banned from publication by court order.

Inspector Charlotte Curmi prosecuted. Lawyer Josette Sultana was legal aid counsel.