A two-week jail sentence that was handed down to two teenage girls was changed to three years probation by a court of appeal.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, said the girls, respectively 13 and 14, needed guidance on how to overcome difficulties and had to learn the necessary life skills that would enable them to let loose of peer pressure that made them rebel against society.

Mr Justice Galea Debono disagreed with their argument that they were handed too harsh a punishment, as he held that the punishment was according to the law. However, he ruled that they would take greater benefit from being placed under probation than being jailed. In taking this decision, he took into consideration their young age, previously clean criminal history and personal problems.

The jail sentence had been handed down after they were found guilty to threatening three young girls in Valletta in March. The younger girl was also found guilty to assaulting and slightly injuring a girl.

Police Inspector Domenic Micallef and Sergeant Dr Jason Grima prosecuted while Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Vincent Micallef and Andy Ellul were defence counsel.