A school assistant head, who is also the treasurer of the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM), has been charged with indecent assault and corrupting a 10-year-old boy at Bahar ic Caghaq, near the Splash and Fun park, last Sunday. The two were having a swim at the time during an activity organised by the society.

Anthony Callus, 46 of Siggiewi pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His defence counsel, Dr Arthur Azzopardi, requested his client’s release, arguing the inspector did not have an arrest warrant in hand but still asked the accused to go down to the station to make a statement.

He argued that the child's genitals were never touched by the accused and the victim is stating that he perceived it as going to happen.

The lawyer said that his client said he lifted him out of the water twice and this is when the child felt the man was too close to his genitals.

He argued that the man has a clean criminal record.

Prosecuting inspector Josric Mifsud said that they made the arrest after the declarations were made. He said that the child claimed the man slightly hit his genitals and that the accused put him in a position which was close to his genitals.

The defence argued that his client will not go near the child since they live in totally different areas and therefore should be granted bail.  The defence requested that the minor should testify in court during the next sitting.

The man was remanded in custody after turning down the lawyer's request for bail. The case is set to continue on 3 September.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti presided over the case.