A total of 26 people were found guilty of abusing minors and handed prison terms last year, while so far this year, 10 people have been handed jail terms for similar crimes.

Moreover, the names of seven individuals were recorded in the child offender’s register since 20 January 2012, when the register was introduced.

The register is kept in the First Hall of the Civil Court and is intended for the protection of minors against sex crimes as well as other serious crimes such as the sale of drugs. The courts have the prerogative to register those found guilty when it is believed they are a danger to children.

The information was given in reply to a parliamentary question by opposition MP Charlo Bonnici to Home Affairs and National Security Minister Emanuel Mallia, on Monday.

Information since 2003 was requested however, the minister replied the data given does not cover the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 because such information was not recorded then.

Two years ago, 11 people were handed prison terms while in 2010, eight people were jailed for abusing minors.

Six people were jailed for each of the years 2006 and 2008 while five people were sentenced to serve time in prison in 2007. Another seven people were sent to jail in 2009.

Although the information does not differentiate whether the crimes were of a sexual or physical nature or other forms of abuse, in total since 2006, 79 people were jailed on the ground of abuse on minors. The sex of the people imprisoned has also not been given.

A total of 24 cases decided since 2011 are under appeal.

The longest prison terms recorded in the years under analysis were 15 years, handed down to two individuals in 2008 and this year.

Nine people were jailed for 10 years while another was jailed for 11 years. The average prison term was of five years and the shortest prison terms handed were of one year.