Dutch man arrested after attempted rape of 18-year-old girl

A 23-year-old Dutch man residing in Malta was arrested in the early hours of this morning, after he attempted to rape an 18-year-old Maltese female in Swieqi. While under arrest he managed to escape from police custody but was apprehended just a few meters away.

The case started this morning at around 4.00 a.m. when the young girl was in bar in Paceville and was approached by the Dutch man, who started bothering her. The man followed the girl when she was walking home.

At one point the man approached her again, pushed her to the ground, tore her clothes and was going to rape her.

The victim resisted her assailant and managed to escape and phone for help. The man fled from the scene, leaving the girl with torn clothing.

The teen's mother went to help her daughter and gave her other clothes, then called the police. The victim gave the officers a description of the man and, after a search, he was arrested in Triq San Ġorġ in Paceville.

He was taken to the police station for questioning. While he was there the men managed to escape from police custody but he was caught shortly after.

Inspector Trevor Micallef is investigating the case.