A man from Zurrieq has been charged with sexual harassment after allegedly trying to pay a 14-year -old boy to perform a sex act on him.

The 59-year-old man was arraigned by police inspector Paula Ciantar before magistrate Audrey Demicoli this morning. He was arrested after he voluntarily admitted himself to Mount Carmel Hospital and told staff there about the crimes. The staff had then contacted the police, who investigated the case.

He was charged with requesting sexual favours from a child and subjecting the boy to sexual harassment.

It emerged during the sitting that both the accused and the alleged victim frequented the Zurrieq pigeon club and lived near each other, although no other details were forthcoming.

Defence lawyer Lennox Vella entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client and asked for bail. He argued that the charges merited summary proceedings and not arraignment under arrest.

The court refused the request for bail until the alleged victim testifies. After hearing the defence list the man’s mental health problems, it recommended that he be held at the forensic unit at Mount Carmel Hospital.