Man jailed for nine years for rape

A 34-year-old man has been given a nine-year sentence and a fine of more than €11,000, after he raped a woman in Paceville in 2014.

Guinean national Seykou Ballde was arrested by police from the Rapid Intervention Unit on 15 December 2014 on St George's street after the woman’s screams caught their ears while they were patrolling the area.

He was taken to St Julian's police station immediately but managed to escape, only to be caught three days later in Bugibba.

Ballde, who first came to Malta in September 2007, faced 12 charges, ranging from rape, assaulting police officers, escaping from police custody and breaching bail conditions in relation to another case in which he stood accused of having assaulted a prostitute.  

The prosecution was conducted by Inspector Trevor Micallef.