Suspended jail term for defiling six girls

A 25-year-old man was yesterday given a one-year jail term suspended for four years for defiling six girls under the age of 12 almost six years ago.

Paul Grima, of Paola, was also put on probation for four years after he pleaded guilty to defiling the minors and offending public morals in 1998.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard Grima explain that he remembered approaching young girls while under the influence of alcohol but did not remember what he told them or what he did.

He apologised for what he might have done, admitted having an alcohol abuse problem and said he wanted to overcome the "nasty habit".

The magistrate also heard a consultant psychiatrist explain that Grima suffered from severe anxiety which he tried to overcome through alcohol. When Grima exceeded the alcohol limit the intoxication possibly led to inappropriate sexual behaviour. It was also probable that the alcohol caused a blackout which led to amnesia.

On handing down judgment, Magistrate Scerri Herrera noted that Grima had a clean criminal record and had cooperated with the prosecution. In light of the circumstances the magistrate ruled there were sufficient reasons to go below the minimum punishment prescribed by law.

She added that Grima's actions were deplorable, especially since they were directed at innocent children. However, on the other hand, he did not deserve imprisonment.

Inspector Maria Stella Cutajar prosecuted.