A 57-year-old cook from Valletta appeared before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi yesterday, charged with having, on 28 February, held a woman against her will in Zabbar and elsewhere in the Maltese islands.

Saviour Spiteri was accused of a violent attempt on the woman’s decency, of forcing her to commit an act which shamed her, and of slightly injuring her. He was also accused of frightening and bothering the woman, and of indecent behaviour.

Spiteri, who was assisted by lawyers Kris Busietta and Arthur Azzopardi, was given provisional liberty on a personal guarantee of e5,000. Inspectors Louise Calleja and Fabian Fleri prosecuted.