A Libyan man was yesterday jailed for two years after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a 13-year-old schoolgirl and tried to kiss her as she was walking back home from school.

The incident took place in Mgarr on 13 March at 2.45pm when Nabil Kelfe Hipleg, 20, assaulted the 13-year-old girl on her way back home from school. He also pleaded guilty to holding her against her will and corrupting the minor girl, whose name cannot be mentioned by court order since she is still a minor.

The court heard how the girl slapped him and ran away and then later went to a field where she knew the man worked, recognised him and went to file a police report.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti jailed Hipleg for two years and said that the man had to suffer the consequences of his actions since he was living in a civilised country. He said he did not agree with the defence counsel that a suspended sentence would have been enough in the circumstances.

Police Inspector Paul Bond prosecuted while Dr Patrick Valentino appeared for the accused.