Man’s Obsession: Maltese Court Hands Probation Order in Digital Harassment Case

Imagine this: your phone buzzes every few minutes, day and night. It’s not a friend checking in or a family member sharing a joke. It’s your ex-partner, sending message after message, a relentless stream of words that you didn’t ask for and don’t want. This was the reality for a Maltese woman, until recently.

Last week, a man was handed a probation order by the Maltese courts after admitting to bombarding his ex-partner with messages. The case, heard at the Magistrates’ Court in Floriana, shed light on the often overlooked issue of digital harassment and its impact on victims.

The couple, both in their late twenties, had been in a relationship for over two years. When they parted ways, the man struggled to accept the breakup. He began sending messages, first a few, then hundreds, then thousands. He sent them from different numbers, making it hard for her to block him. He even created fake profiles to continue his relentless pursuit.

The woman, a local teacher, found her life disrupted. She couldn’t sleep, she was constantly on edge, and her work suffered. “It was like living in a nightmare,” she told Hot Malta, speaking on condition of anonymity. “I felt trapped, not just in my home, but in my own life.”

The woman decided enough was enough. She reported the man to the police, providing them with a printout of the messages. The police, equipped with new guidelines on digital harassment, took the case seriously. The man was arrested and charged under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act and the Criminal Code.

In court, the man admitted to sending the messages. He was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and ordered to pay €1,000 in damages to his ex-partner. The court also issued a protection order, banning him from contacting her.

“This case sends a clear message,” said Dr. Maria Attard, a local lawyer specializing in family law. “Digital harassment is a crime. It’s a violation of one’s privacy and peace. If you’re a victim, report it. If you’re the perpetrator, stop. Now.”

As Malta continues to grapple with the complexities of digital life, cases like this serve as a reminder. We need to talk about digital harassment, to educate about its impacts, and to empower victims to seek help. We need to remember that ‘no’ means ‘no’, even in the digital realm.

“I’m glad it’s over,” the woman said, relief evident in her voice. “I’ve started therapy to deal with the trauma. I’m rebuilding my life. And I hope my story helps others to stand up, to say ‘no’ to harassment, in all its forms.”