A man was yesterday charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Tunisian girl in St Paul’s Bay on Sunday.

Carmelo Sant, 55, from St Paul’s Bay, was accused of sexually assaulting the girl, defiling her and offending public morals. The girl’s name cannot be mentioned by court order so as to protect her identity. The court heard that the man is not related in any way to the girl and it was the first time he met her.

Before Magistrate Silvio Meli, Mr Sant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Due to the gravity of the case, his request for bail was turned down and he was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Carmelo Abdilla prosecuted while Dr Richard Sladden appeared for the accused.