The Constitutional Court yesterday declined a man's request for the Chief Justice to step down from proceedings related to his appeal, which he filed in an attempt to avoid being extradited to the state of Victoria in Australia, where he is wanted on charges of indecent assault and rape of his teenage stepdaughter.

John Mary Chircop, 41, allegedly committed the crime between 1 November 2003 and 8 September 2004.

He had filed an appeal, mentioning two incidents which, he said, do not usually happen in the Maltese courts.

He said a letter was sent by the Chief Justice to the judge presiding over his case and another letter concerning his case was sent by the Commission for the Administration of Justice to the same judge. These letters, he said, could have placed unnecessary pressure on the presiding judge when handing down his judgement.

Mr Chircop's request was declined however, as the court ruled that the Chief Justice acted legitimately in his position to manage over any case he is responsible for.

The court was presided over by Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano, Mr Justice Joseph D. Camilleri and Mr Justice Tonio Mallia.