Mr Justice Michael Mallia is expected next Monday to hand down judgement in the gang rape case of 19 March, 2007, and sentence the accused in case of guilt. The trial, which was heard behind closed doors, went to the judge after the accused chose not to undergo a trial by jury.

The case was concluded last Saturday. Testimony was given by, among others, one of the accused, Omar Osman, and the alleged victim.

Muhammad Ali Hasan, 31, Abukeer Abdilrahman, 22, Osman, 31, all of Somalia, and Anwar Hasan, 31, of Sudan, faced 18 charges, including the gang rape outside the Marsa open centre, and theft.

The prosecution was led by Dr Philip Galea Farrugia and Dr Giannella Busuttil. App[earing for the accused were Dr Simon Micallef Stafrace, Dr Malcolm Mifsud and Dr Kris Scicluna.