A woman who was held against her will in an underground cave did not testify via video conference today as scheduled after the court was presented with a certificate saying that she is suffering severe anxiety attacks.
Roddy Williams, 37, is accused of kidnapping his estranged wife, sexually abusing her and holding her in an underground cave against her will. Since his arrest on 1 November, Williams has been held in custody.
The man made headlines when he was accused of holding his estranged wife, Natalie Williams, against her will in a secluded underground chamber beneath Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara.
Natalie Williams was scheduled to testify during today’s hearing via video conference. Instead, a medical certificate issued by general practitioner Stephen Spiteri was presented, where it states that the victim is suffering from anxiety attacks and is therefore unfit to testify.
Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, presiding over the case, seemed reportedly annoyed at the prosecution’s failure to notify the court, noting that everything had been set up for the video conference.
In addition, the medical certificate presented was declared null, with Stafrace Zammit stressing that a GP could not assess the victim’s psychiatric state but that a psychiatrist would have to do so instead. In view of this, the victim is scheduled to be examined by a psychiatrist on Tuesday 9 January. The court heard how this appointment had been set in November, and numerous attempts had been made to move the appointment to an earlier date.
Roddie Williams, born in the Seychelles, is formally charged with kidnapping his estranged wife, failing to provide food or water for several days therefore placing her life in manifest jeopardy, sexual assault, holding her against her will, harassing her and causing her to fear that violence would be used against her.
Inspectors Josric Mifsud and Paula Ciantar prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Yanika Vidal were defence counsel. Lawyers Ludvic Caruana and Janice Bord appeared parte civile for the victim.