By 11am Friday, nearly 2,000 people had joined a Facebook page in support of a school assistant head who has been charged with indecent assault on 10-year-old boy.

Anthony Callus, who is also the treasurer of the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM), has been charged with the offence which allegedly took place at Bahar ic-Caghaq last Sunday.

The two were having a swim when the alleged incident happened. Mr Callus, 46 of Siggiewi, is pleading not guilty.

The circumstances of the case – the defence is arguing that Mr Callus never touched the boy’s genitals as it being claimed by the prosecution – have pushed many people to come up in defence of the accused.

A Facebook page– called “I am morally certain that Mr Anthony Callus is innocent” – was launched hours after the charges in court and has already attracted nearly 2,000 likes.

It urges people not to judge others before court cases are concluded, with some arguing that Mr Callus is being persecuted.