Man, 63, rapes grand-daughters

A 63-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday to raping three of his granddaughters, two of whom are aged six and eight.

There was an atmosphere of unease in the courtroom as inspector Raymond Aquilina read out the charges. Subdued, the man whispered his particulars when Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani asked for them. His name cannot be printed on court order to protect the identity of the victims.

The man shrugged and looked down when asked how he pleaded.

"Ħeq, I admit". He was allowed a few minutes with his lawyer to reconsider his position, as is the practice, but filed a guilty plea once more.

The court will now move to sentence him in the coming days but his lawyer asked for a psychologist to draw up a profile prior to sentencing.

"It is clear from his past, and even the statement he gave to the police and the way he answered, that he needs a psychologist, perhaps, even to suggest a way forward when you move to sentence him," lawyer Richard Sladden told the magistrate.

The man was charged detaining at his home and raping his three granddaughters earlier this month, one of whom is over 18. They are expected to give evidence today.