A 58-year-old yesterday appeared in court to answer charges of having raped a mentally disabled woman.

Anthony Tabone pleaded not guilty to raping the woman, who is not being named to protect her identity, on 27 February at 4pm in Cospicua.

He was also charged with attempted violent indecent assault on the woman, who is over the age of 18, and of detaining her against her will.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, refused the accused’s bail application and ordered that he be kept on remand.

Police Inspectors Alexander Grech and Louise Calleja prosecuted while Dr Veronique Dalli appeared for the accused.