A 43-year-old man was yester-day charged with defilement when his 16-year-old neighbour, who lives across the street, reported to police that she could see him naked from her home.

The man from Pembroke pleaded not guilty to defilement, offending public morals and causing his neighbour to fear that violence would be used against her.

Police Inspector Martin Sammut told Magistrate Edwina Grima that it was being alleged that the defendant was naked in his own home in a place the girl, who lives across the street, could see him. She then filed a police report.

However, there had not been any physical contact between the man and his neighbour.

The defendant's lawyer, Stephen Tonna Lowell, said his client was not contesting that he was naked at home. But he denied having any ulterior motives.

The defendant, whose name cannot be published for legal reasons, was granted bail on condition that he does not approach the girl or her family. He will, for the duration of the case, be residing at a house in Rabat which he owns.

He was bound to abide by the bail conditions against a €500 deposit and a personal guarantee of €10,000.