DISCLAIMER: This article contains graphic details that some readers might find disturbing

A man accused of raping and sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl is due to stand trial before a jury in the Criminal Court on Tuesday.

The case centres on allegations dating back to 2018 and 2019, when the girl was 13. The Attorney General has filed a three-count bill of indictment accusing the man of aggravated rape, corrupting a person under the age of 16, and participating in sexual activities with a person under 16.

According to the prosecution's case, the girl was friends with the accused's daughter after the two met through gymnastics and would sometimes sleep over at the family's home.

The first alleged incident took place at a residence in around October 2018.

Prosecutors claim the girl was upstairs while her friend was downstairs doing homework and the accused's partner was at work.

The bill of indictment alleges the accused called the girl into his bedroom, where he sexually assaulted her. The prosecution says the incident stopped when the man's daughter called out to him from downstairs.

A second alleged incident is said to have taken place several months later, on 28 June 2019, during a weekend boat trip.

According to the indictment, the girl had been invited to spend the weekend on the accused's boat with the family. At one point, the accused was allegedly left alone on the vessel with the girl after his daughter and partner went ashore for a gymnastics lesson.

Prosecutors allege that the accused called the girl over on the pretext of showing her a new bed on the boat before sexually assaulting her. The indictment further alleges that he attempted to penetrate her before she managed to push him away. The girl was 13 at the time.

The prosecution maintains that the alleged conduct across the two incidents amounts to aggravated rape because the alleged victim was a minor and under the age of 15. The charge covers alleged acts carried out between October 2018 and June 2019 at the residence and on the boat.

Under the second count, the accused is charged with corrupting a person under the age of 16 during a period in which the girl had temporarily been entrusted to his care. The Attorney General is seeking a prison term of between six and 12 years upon conviction on that count.

The third count accuses the man of participating in sexual activities with a person under 16 in connection with the same alleged events. The indictment specifies a punishment of between seven- and 20-years' imprisonment upon conviction on that charge.

For the aggravated rape charge, the bill of indictment lists a possible prison sentence of between five and 20 years if the accused is found guilty.

The case has previously been the subject of a series of preliminary legal challenges by the defence, including objections concerning the validity of the indictment and the admissibility of evidence. The defence had also challenged the fact that the three charges were being brought together and raised procedural complaints over the compilation of evidence.

The accused is being represented by lawyers Mario Mifsud and Nicholas Mifsud.

Judge Conuelo Scerri Herrera is presiding over the case.