Sliema man charged with rape

A 23-year-old man from Sliema was yesterday charged with raping a 22-year-old Japanese woman in Gzira on Monday.

The young man, whose name and occupation cannot be published by court order, pleaded not guilty to rape and offending public morals at about 11.30 p.m.

Defence counsel Tony Abela requested bail for his client arguing that the woman had filed the police report on Thursday morning, three days after the alleged rape.

The prosecution objected and explained that the woman had told the police she filed the report late because she was scared and feared the way she would be treated in her country once the news was out.

The prosecution pointed out that the accused knew where the woman lived and, moreover, throughout his arrest he had expressed a wish to speak to her to "explain his version". This meant there was the risk he would approach her and, therefore, tamper with the evidence.

The woman is to leave Malta in three week's time.

At the end of the sitting, at about 1.30 p.m., the magistrate granted the man bail on condition he does not leave his home and bound him against a deposit of Lm800 and a personal guarantee of Lm1,000.

But by the time the arraignment was over, the court registry had closed and the man could not make his deposit. This means that unless the court opens with urgency today, a Saturday, he will remain in custody until the registry opens on Monday.

Police Inspectors Sharon Tanti and Daniel Zammit prosecuted.