The 21-year-old man, whose name cannot be published due to a court order, held the girl against her will in St Julian’s at around 3am on 9 November 2002. He intended to abuse her and force her to perform immoral acts.

The man also offended public morals and slightly injured the girl. Although the court recognised the severity of these crimes, it claimed the offender’s reformation would be more useful than his punishment.

Sedqa representative Josette Camilleri said the accused was no longer dependent on alcohol and cannabis and showed willingness to reform.

A suspended sentence would be detrimental to the young man’s future, the court said, and therefore it ruled to conditionally discharge him.

The court was presided over by magistrate Carol Peralta and inspectors Louise Calleja and Martin Sammut prosecuted.