Man accused of abusing girl over seven year period

Victim, 14, was seven when abuse allegedly started

A 23-year-old man was remanded in custody today, having pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually abusing an underage girl.

The abuse allegedly started when the girl, who is now 14, was seven years old.

The man, named as Catriel Scicluna from Marsa, was arraigned in court before Magistrate Joe Mifsud, accused of having abused the child from January 2010 to October 2017, of having taken part in sexual activities with her, and of corrupting a minor.

The girl, who initially told her story to her Guidance Counsellor this week, told protection officers that the accused had also tried to rape her when she was ten.

The court denied the defence’s request for bail, despite the defence arguing that the entire case rested on the girl’s allegations.

The prosecution argued that the girl’s story, as she told it, appeared to be truthful.

Inspector Paula Ciantar prosecuted.

Lawyers Marion Camilleri and Yanica Vidal appeared for the defence.