A 38-year-old Syrian man was today charged with raping a 23-year-old Romanian woman after giving her a lift from Paceville to Mosta on Sunday night.

Ahmad Sheikh Ahmed, 38, from Aleppo, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to the charge.

The court heard how the incident took place a few blocks away from where the woman lives.

Lawyer Joe Brincat, who appeared for the accused, said Mr Ahmad was vehemently denying the charge and had only tried to help the woman, who was intoxicated.

He said Mr Ahmad’s brothers were with the woman and a female friend in Paceville. The victim was got drunk and one of the brothers carried her down to the beach for some fresh air. He then called his brother – the accused – and asked him to drive her home, which he did. The woman then claimed she had been raped.

Police inspector Joseph Busuttil, prosecuting, said that while the woman was truly drunk, she was not intoxicated to the extent that she could not give him directions to where she lived. Court experts have confirmed that the woman had bruises compatible to being restrained and forced penetration.

Furthermore, the woman had identified Mr Ahmad during the identification parade.

The prosecution asked the court to refuse bail for fear that the accused would flee to his wife and children in Syria. He also said there are a number of witnesses who will be summoned to testify. Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona refused bail.

Lawyer Joe Brincat appeared for Mr Ahmad while inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Nicholas Vella prosecuted.