Pensioner charged with sexually abusing eight-year-old relatives

A 66-year-old pensioner has denied sexually abusing his nephew and niece on various occasions when they were just eight-years-old.

Prosecuting inspector John Spiteri told a court that a man had entered his office a few days ago to report that he had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of his uncle when he was only a child.

Although he had put the episode behind him as he grew up, memories of the abuse were reawakened by the sight of his uncle playing with children at a family party. After opening up to family members, he discovered that his sister and aunt had also been similarly abused.

Called in for questioning, the informant’s sister and aunt confirmed to the police that they had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of the abuse, but had chosen not to file a criminal complaint. The victim’s parents later told the police that they had only been made aware of the child’s abuse after his uncle had been arrested.

The alleged abuse took place between 2002 and 2008, back when only defilement – and not the sexual abuse a child – was a criminal offence.

The man was charged with participating in sexual acts with persons under the age of 12, between 2002 and 2016 and with the defilement of minors. The court explained the charges to the accused, in a loud voice, as the accused is hard of hearing.   

Defence lawyer Patrick Valentino entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of the accused. The court, presided by magistrate Aaron Bugeja, upheld Valentino’s request that the accused be remanded in custody in the prison’s hospital ward, due to a chronic illness.

The court ordered a ban on the publication of the names or locality of residence of the accused and the victims in order to safeguard their victims’ rights.