A 67-year-old man from Cospicua was yesterday charged with corrupting an eight-year-old girl and holding her against her will earlier this year.

The man, whose name cannot be published following a court order, had to be rushed to hospital after he felt unwell in the courtroom, and although he was denied bail, will be kept at St Luke’s Hospital until the next hearing.

He pleaded not guilty to corrupting the girl and holding her against her will last May and during the previous months, and was further charged with offending public morals.

Police Inspector Raymond Aquilina prosecuted and Dr Tony Abela appeared for the accused.