A 19-year-old yesterday appeared in court to answer charges of corrupting a 14-year-old girl and forcing her into prostitution.

Matthew Borg from Hamrun, pleaded not guilty to corrupting a 14-year-old girl on 2 May 2006 and the preceding months. He was also accused of pushing her into prostitution and living off the earnings.

The prosecution, led by inspector Sharon Tanti, objected to bail being granted on the grounds that the accused could approach the victim.

The court, however, presided over by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, granted the accused bail on the condition that he remains under house arrest. He was also ordered to pay Lm1,000 as a deposit. Dr Anglu Farrugia appeared for the defence.