Three men were yesterday charged with raping a teenager and with indecently assaulting her during the past two months.

Before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, Aldo Muscat, 34, from Mellieha, Noel Buttigieg, 31, from Hamrun and Arnold Farrugia, 37, from Zebbug, pleaded not guilty to raping and corrupting the minor, and to offending public morals.

Mr Muscat alone was further charged with encouraging the minor to become a prostitute, running a brothel and living off the earnings of prostitution.The three men were denied bail and were remanded in custody.

Police inspector Louise Calleja prosecuted. Legal aid Dr Mark Busuttil, Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran appeared for the accused.