The man, a 21-year-old from Luqa, raped a girl in 2001 and the preceding years. He corrupted her, held her against her will and violently forced her to do something she refused to. He also offended public morals and threatened to kill his victim.

The man, who cannot be named due to a court order, admitted the crimes. The girl, who is now of age, testified in the proceedings against him and said she now has a relationship with the accused. “He changed,” she said. The victim claimed she did not want proceedings against her attacker to continue. She said she forgave him and now wants to strengthen their relationship.

As a result of being raped by the man, the girl became pregnant and now cares for their little boy.

Since the victim forgave her attacker and continued her relationship with him, the court claimed it should not be too stern in its judgment. Despite this, the man’s crimes could not go unpunished.

The accused was sentenced to a two-year jail term suspended for four. The court was presided over by magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera and inspector Yvette Farrugia prosecuted.