A 17-year-old boy from Birkirkara was jailed for two years yesterday, suspended for three years, after he was found guilty of defiling the four-year-old daughter of his father’s partner who he blamed for the marriage problems between his

parents.

The teenager, whose name cannot be mentioned since he is still a minor, was 13 years old when the crime took place. The court heard that the young girl’s mother was his father’s partner and he blamed the woman for the marital problems between his parents. The court heard that the teenager defiled the girl to get back at her mother who, according to him, had led to his parents’ separation.

Handing down her judgement, magistrate Jacqueline Padovani said that the teenager had found himself in a difficult situation. She also took into consideration the fact that the teenager was only 13 years old at the time and that he had filed an early guilty plea.

She therefore jailed him for two years, suspended for three years, and placed him under a supervision order for a period of three years.

Police Inspectors Dennis Theuma and Louise Calleja prosecuted.

Dr Stefano Filletti appeared for the teenager while Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Veronique Dalli appeared parte civile for the victim and her family.