Saudi to be deported after sexual assault on foreign student
A Saudi national was ordered to be deported, and will remain in police custody until he is, after pleading guilty to sexual assault
A young Saudi man who sexually assaulted a student on Sunday is to be deported, a court has ruled.
Magistrate Josette Demicoli was told how 22-year-old Naif Abdulrahman A. Altuwah, had chased a young Italian woman in Swieqi at around noon, before sexually assaulting her.
The victim, who is in Malta to study English, had called the police after the accused had tried to kiss and fondle her against her wishes.
Inspector Nikolai Sant charged Altuwah with violent indecent assault.
Assisted by a translator, the accused pleaded guilty.
Defence lawyers Joe Gerada and Vince Micallef highlighted that violent indecent assault was the least serious of sexual offences and that the accused had admitted at the earliest stage.
Although inspector Sant had originally requested a protection order, this request was withdrawn during the sitting after the court said it would be ordering that the accused be deported.
In view of his admission, the court found Altuwah guilty and, having ordered his deportation, upheld the defence's request for a conditional discharge, on condition that he does not commit another crime in the next two years.
He is to remain in police custody until his flight leaves.