Charged with defiling daughter

A 47-year-old man from Żabbar was yesterday charged with violently assaulting and defiling his 13-year-old daughter yesterday.

Subdued and gazing at the floor, he mumbled his details to the magistrate in court. The court has banned publication of the man's identity.

Inspector Fabian Fleri accused him of defiling his daughter and violently assaulting her at home in recent weeks.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera refused the request for bail at least until his daughter testifies in the case.

In another case, a man who was accused of assaulting and insulting a team of police officers turned the tables on them in court yesterday by claiming that he was beaten by them.

"I was beaten by them. How can I have peace of mind," he told Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera yesterday. The magistrate ordered an immediate medical test complete with pictures.

He stands accused by Inspector Priscilla Caruana of assaulting four police officers at the Birzebbugia police station on Saturday and slightly injuring a fifth officer, while insulting a list of officers and breaking an officer's spectacles.

He was also accused of driving a car without a licence.