A refugee was yesterday charged with sexually assaulting a Maltese woman and holding her against her will.

The 29-year-old Palestinian refugee, Abdel Jalil Binsalem Binahmed, was accused of violently and indecently assaulting the woman in Sliema on Wednesday morning.

Police Inspector Stephen Gatt told magistrate Edwina Grima that the incident took place at a construction site where the accused worked.

The woman works as a security officer at the same construction site.

The police inspector claimed the refugee grabbed the woman and pulled her close to him and only let go of her when he was reprimanded by his foreman.

Magistrate Grima heard the accused plead not guilty to the charges brought against him. She granted him bail against a personal guarantee and ordered him not to leave the Hal Far open centre where he resides.

Dr Patrick Valentino appeared for the accused.