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Priest Gets Suspended Jail Term after Violent Indecent Assault on Underage Girl

Malta Independent
June 28, 2017

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-06-28/local-news/Priest-gets-suspended-jail-term-after-violent-indecent-assault-on-underage-girl-6736175993

A Gozitan priest was given a suspended sentence after he was found guilty of sexual offences against three girls.

The priest was sentenced to a jail term of one year suspended for three years.

Jesmond Gauci, 44, from Xaghra, was charged with having committed lewd acts and having violently and indecently assaulted the girls. He was also accused of harassing the youngsters through allegedly offensive mobile and Facebook messages.

The affair had been made public after the Gozo Bishop filed a police report.

In proceedings characterised by numerous testimonies, including those of the three girls, their relatives and the accused himself, the image emerged of a young and energetic man with a "bubbly" personality who appeared to be very friendly with women. One of the girls had in fact observed that the priest had the mannerisms of a "boyfriend."

One of the alleged victims, aged 13 at the time, recalled how her first unpleasant experience with the accused had taken place on board her parents’ boat. He had allegedly fondled her breasts and touched her private parts as she lay inside the cabin, in her swimsuit and with her headphones on.

The second incident allegedly occurred during a family BBQ where the accused was a guest. At one point, he had sidled up to the girl, hugged her and touched her breast. As she pushed him away, her mother, already put on her guard by her daughter, had noticed the unwarranted gesture.

The second victim explained that while attending private lessons given by the accused's brother, the priest had playfully tugged at her hair. On other occasions he had allegedly sent her messages on her mobile phone and via Facebook, asking “How are you sweet?”. It was alleged that the priest had even tried to kiss her during confession.

The third victim had testifed how the priest had pulled her towards him, fondling her while uttering the words "cosy, cosy."

Magistrate Neville Camilleri observed that the case presented conflicting versions of the alleged wrongdoing.

After analysing the evidence, the court declared the accused guilty of violent indecent assault in respect of one of the victims, pointing out that the acts had been done against the will of the 13-year old victim and thus could be classified as violent. The other charges had however not been sufficiently proved.

The court considered the clean criminal record of the accused as well as his positive pastoral and educational services. On the other hand, the court could not ignore the nature of the offence, the age of the victim, the manner of perpetration of the acts and the fact that the wrongdoer was a priest.

The court also imposed a Protection Order of three years in respect of one of the victims.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio was defence counsel.

Curia statement

The Safeguarding Commission for children and vulnerable adults said that it was the Gozo Bishop who reported the abuse allegations to the police. When the priest was taken before the Response Team in 2014, the priest was suspended

The Commission urged the public to contact the police or call the 179 support line with any allegations of abuse. The Commission can be contacted on info@safeguarding.org.mt.

 

 

 

 

 




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