A 36-year-old nursing aide from Zurrieq today denied falsely accusing his estranged wife of inappropriately touching their 14-year-old son.

The report was filed after the son, who lives with his father, claimed his mother touched him inappropriately when he went to the toilet.

On investigating the claim, sources said the police were confronted with conflicting versions from the father and son.

The father also denied blackmailing his wife with Facebook chats she had with another man.

The chats were printed out by the son, and passed on to the father, who threatened to use them against his wife during the separation proceedings.

Defence lawyer Veronique Dalli told Magistrate Neville Camilleri that the two went through an acrimonious separation, and are no longer on speaking terms.

She said there is no danger of the man communicating with his estranged wife if he is granted bail.

The Magistrate upheld the request for bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.

The 14-year-old is expected to be arraigned in juvenile court.

Inspectors Roderick Spiteri and Chantelle Casha prosecuted.