A language student has been handed a two-year prison sentence suspended for four years after admitting in court that he filmed his flatmate using the shower without her permission. 

Mikdat Terzi, 26, pleaded guilty to using his mobile phone to produce pornography. He apologised to his victim.

The incident happened when the man positioned his mobile phone under a bathroom cabinet, capturing footage of his female flatmate when she popped in to have a shower.

However, his manoeuvre was soon discovered by the young woman, who deleted the footage but nonetheless reported the matter to the police. The footage was retrieved and the culprit was taken in for questioning, before the footage had been shared.

“I was drunk. I’m very sorry. I wasn’t in my right senses” the young man pleaded in court, turning towards the victim and apologizing for his wrongdoing.

The man registered a guilty plea even after magistrate Charmaine Galea had warned him that the charges carried a possible maximum jail term of 5 years.

Both the prosecution and parte civile lawyers pointed out that they were not insisting upon an effective jail term, but that the indecent material be destroyed.

The court ordered the phone destroyed. It also imposed a  €200 fine and a 3-year protection order for the victim. 

In view of the sexual nature of the offences, the court barred the accused from engaging in any professional activity involving minors for the next three years.

The accused, eyes glistening with unshed tears, was lead out of the courtroom.

Inspector Nikolai Sant prosecuted.

Lawyer Joseph Ellis was defence counsel.

Lawyers Alfred Abela and Laura Calleja appeared parte civile