A woman started the new year on a bad note after she was sexually assaulted by a Syrian as she was walking home.

Najm Fahd, 20, from Marsa, assaulted the woman and attempted to grope her.

The incident happened in Triq L-Ispiera, Swieqi, at around 4am as the woman was returning home from a New Year’s Eve party.

The man grabbed her, covered her mouth, pushed her against the wall and tried to put his hands up her skirt. He only stopped when the woman managed to scream, alerting neighbours.

Police arrived on site within minutes and was apprehended further down the road after trying to escape. He said he was drunk.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, who ordered a ban on the publication of the woman’s name as well as on her account of what had taken place, deferred sentencing to Thursday after the man pleaded guilty to the charges.

Police Inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Matthew Spagnol prosecuted. Lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace appeared for the man as legal aid.

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