Man denied bail over rape charges

A man has denied beating and raping a woman several times over a number of years after he was arraigned in court on related charges.

Cospicua resident Ahmad Abu Hassan, 56, a baker from Syria was charged with rape, causing fear of violence, insulting, threatening and attacking the woman as well as breaching a suspended sentence and relapsing. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Inspectors Roxanne Tabone and Trevor Micallef, prosecuting, opposed the defence’s request for bail.

Defence counsel, lawyer Joe Brincat, suggested that the woman had been phoning the accused several times over the past four years, inviting him to her home, but this was rebutted by the prosecution.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella denied bail due to the gravity of the crime and because the victim had not yet testified.