A 20-year-old Scot student today was charged with raping a Welsh woman while on a Maltese-registered cruise ship on the night between July 22 and 23, 2014. He was also charged with holding her against her will.

He was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €3,500. He pleaded not guilty.

The alleged case took place on cruise ship MV Reflection. The student, whose name cannot be published by court order, faced a Maltese court exactly a year after the alleged case took place. He was brought to Malta after a European Arrest Warrant was issued by the Malta Police.

It is understood that both the Scot and the victim were travelling with their family. Both the families got to know each other on the cruise ship.

The prosecution did not object to the defence team’s request to grant him bail as long as he provided a fixed address in Malta.

Drs Nadine Sant and Alessandro Lia defended the accused while Stephen Tonna Lowell and Michaela Spiteri appeared parte civile.

Vice-Squad Inspector Joseph Busuttil prosecuted. Magistrate Audrey Demicoli presided over the case.