Anthony Callus,  a member of the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM) was granted bail after he was accused of defiling a 10-year-old boy at Bahar ic-Caghaq last week. Allegedly, the incident happened on Sunday 24 August, when the two were having a swim and Splash and Fun Park at an event organized by the society. Purportedly, Mr Callus was lifting the boy out of the sea and held him in such a way that his private parts rubbed against the boy.

Mr Callus was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €2500.  The court ordered that Mr Callus is not to be present at any MUSEUM premises which are frequented by children, a request put forward by the defense attorney himself. In addition, he is to sign in at Qormi police station once a week. No curfew was imposed.

The 10-year-old was asked to testify in court yesterday.

Mr Callus, who is also a former assistant head of a school, was also charged with violent indecent assault, harassment and offending public morals.

Mr Callus has suspended himself from the MUSEUM society, and resigned from his post as head of school.

Dr Arthur Azzopardi represented the accused. Magistrate Audrey Demicoli presided.