A man was accused yesterday of defiling his nine-year-old daughter in October 2005 and the preceding months.
The 53-year-old man from Cospicua, whose name cannot be published in order to protect the identity of his daughter, was accused of defiling the girl, violently and indecently assaulting her and committing immoral acts in public. The alleged acts were committed in Marsascala and Blata l-Bajda.
Defence lawyer Edward Gatt said his client denied the charges brought against him. The accused man tried to speak on several occasions during the court sitting but was quietened by his lawyer and the prosecuting officer. He claimed they were all lies and inventions.
Dr Gatt claimed that the allegations made about his client were false and also asked the court to order the Police Commissioner to investigate the alleged victims to determine whether they had lodged a false report. However, he did not make his request formally, according to law.
He said these allegations only surfaced now as a result of the proceedings of another court case involving his family. Dr Gatt said that now that the other case is nearing conclusion and the facts alleged in that case are now, more or less, crystal clear, his client’s family want to get back at his client in another way by accusing him of defiling his daughter.
Dr Gatt mentioned a court case in which his client is involved but the details of this case are not being revealed in order to protect the victim’s identity and also in view of the court ban on the publication of details that may to the accused and/or his daughter being identified.
Police Inspector Louise Calleja said she had spoken to the alleged victim who had told her the entire story. She said she asked her certain questions and her version of events remained unchanged.
Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, who presided over the court, granted the man bail against a personal guarantee of Lm2,000 and on condition that he does not leave his house except to sign the bail book at the police station once a week.
The bail conditions of
the other case remained unchanged.
Police Inspector Louise Calleja prosecuted and Dr Edward Gatt appeared for the accused.