Man who kissed, groped sleeping woman is fined, placed under probation
The accused admitted the charges
A 33-year-old man who kissed a woman and groped her without her consent, was placed under a probation order after pleading guilty on Tuesday.
Saif Rounin, a Tunisian national living in Sliema, was accused of performing non-consensual sexual acts on the woman, sexually harassing her and holding her against her will.
Police inspector Elton Buckingham explained that the woman filed a report on Sunday regarding an incident that took place on October 19. The woman explained to police that she was at a house party where her friend and her partner live. She fell asleep on the sofa and felt someone touching her and kissing her. She woke up and stopped the perpetrator, who was her friend’s housemate.
In court, the man pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.
After hearing the submissions on punishment, the court handed him a three-year probation order and fined him €5,000, which are to be paid in monthly instalments. A restraining order was issued in favour of the woman.
Magistrate Tanya Sammut presided over the arraignment. AG lawyer Kristina Bartolo prosecuted, assisted by police inspector Elton Buckingham. Lawyer Roberta Bonello appeared for the accused.