Man accused of defiling boy he met over internet

A 37-year-old Algerian national, who resides in Malta, was yesterday charged with defiling a 15-year-old boy he met over the internet.

Lanouar Bounab pleaded not guilty to defiling the teenage Maltese boy on Monday evening.

Police Inspector Louise Calleja, who is prosecuting together with Inspector Pierre Micallef Grimaud, told the court that the boy had informed the police he declared he had consented to what had taken place between him and Mr Bounab.

The boy told officers he met Mr Bounab over the internet and accepted his invitation to go to his house.

When the boy went back home his mother noticed that something was amiss and informed the police.

Lawyer Martin Fenech, for Mr Bounab, asked for bail but Magistrate Lawrence Quintano turned down the request "in the interest of the minor who was to be protected in all ways".