A 72-year old man pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing his 15-year old granddaughter some five years ago. He was denied bail.

The man, who cannot be named by court order, was charged with defilement, non-consensual sexual acts and harassment. 

The abuse had allegedly been ongoing for some time before the girl, who was a minor at the time, opened up to a counsellor. 

She alleged that her grandpa would touch her intimately. A report was filed with the police.

A request for bail was objected to by the prosecution, arguing that the alleged victim is still to testify. 

The accused's lawyers argued that this did not automatically mean that bail should be denied. 

Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi denied bail in light of the serious nature of the charges, the fact that the alleged victim was a minor at the time of the alleged case, and she was a close relative of the accused and still to testify. 

The court upheld a request for a protection order barring the accused from approaching or communicating with the alleged victim and her parents. 

AG lawyers Angele Vella, Danika Vella and Inspector Roxanne Tabone prosecuted. Lawyers Jose' Herrera and Matthew Xuereb were defence lawyers.