A woman today was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to approaching witnesses in a sexual abuse case.

The 64-year-old woman allegedly approached witnesses in her husband’s sexual abuse case, with intent to influence their testimony. She has been charged with causing fear of violence to the alleged victims and their families .

Her Egyptian husband is facing charges for allegedly having sexually abused four girls between 2004 and 2009, when the girls were still considered to be minors.

The man, aged 55, had pleaded not guilty.

Testifying in Court, Police inspector Joseph Busuttil said that one of the witnesses told him she had been approached by a woman, asking forgiveness for her husband. He explained that this confirmed his suspicions of testimonies given by witnesses not corresponding with statements during the investigation.

While investigating into the corruption of witnesses, another witness claimed she had also been approached. As such, he proceeded with the woman’s arrest. Most attempts to influence the witnesses were made by phone, he explained.

The woman’s request for bail was denied by the Court as there could be no guarantee that she would not approach another witness.

There was no ban on the publication of the woman’s name, however it has been withheld to protect the alleged victims’ identities.

Lawyer Joseph Mizzi appeared for the woman and Magistrate Gabriella Vella presiding.