Acquitted of rape, man jailed six years for defiling two young girls

Mario Azzopardi, 64 was jailed for six years by Mr. Justice Lawrence Quintano who presided over a trial by jury, which found the accused guilty of defiling two 13 year-old girls.

Azzopardi was acquitted of raping a third girl.

He was charged with sexually assaulting the girls after inviting them to his home to teach them to play the guitar.

Prior to handing judgment, the court heard submissions by prison director Abraham Zammit who was summoned by Azzopardi's defence.

Zammit described Azzopardi as an "exemplary" inmate, who is teaching other inmates how to play the guitar, and is also very involved in the activities connected to the prison's chapel.

Azzopardi was remanded in custody in 2011 and has remained there since, after he forfeited his bail when a witness reported him for approaching one of his victims.