LSA accused of corrupting 13-year-old remanded in custody

A 22-year-old Learning Support Assistant has denied a number of charges relating to sexual activities with minors, during his arraignment this morning.

Before duty magistrate Francesco Depasquale, inspector Joseph Busuttil charged the man with participating in sexual activities with a 13-year-old girl, corrupting the same and committing a crime that he was duty bound to safeguard against.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defence lawyer Franco Debono requested the court order a ban on the publication of the name of the accused. As is the custom in such cases, the court ordered a ban on both the name of the girl and the accused.

Debono requested bail, arguing that the man was presumed innocent and had cooperated with authorities. “His family is all here in the courtroom. If he made a mistake, given his background, he is still in time to rehabilitate himself.”

Inspector Busuttil argued that because the man is in contact with children as part of his job, and because he socialised with the minor, it would be impossible to keep tabs on him or restrict him from contacting the minor on Facebook messenger, which could lead to her evidence being compromised.

Lawyer Marion Camilleri, who together with Franco Debono and lawyer Yanika Vidal is also assisting the accused, argued that this risk would exist with any witness and that the police had already taken a statement from the 13-year-old.

The court denied bail that at this stage, saying that it would be better that the accused be remanded in custody until the child testifies. The court invited the prison authorities to ensure that the accused be held in facilities suitable for him until the request for bail is reconsidered after the child has testified.