Man charged with defiling two boys 12 years ago

A 65-year-old man yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charge of defiling two boys in his village about 12 years ago and was granted bail.

The court turned down a request by the prosecution to place Dennis Bennett under house arrest.

The boys are now grown men but still live in the same village, Kirkop.

In pleas on bail, defence lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran said the police were investigating alleged incidents that happened a long time ago and Mr Bennett had been granted police bail.

Agreeing with Dr Caruana Curran, prosecuting officer Inspector Louise Calleja said that Mr Bennett had fully cooperated with the police.

Dr Caruana Curran added that he lives with his elderly mother who suffers from dementia and diabetes and is her sole carer.

However, Police Inspector Calleja asked the court for Mr Bennett to be placed under house arrest given that the accused and his alleged victims still live in the same village.

The defence contested the request on the grounds that the accused cooperated during the investigation and there was no need for such a restriction to be placed on him.

The court took into consideration Mr Bennett's cooperation with the police and the fact he had already been granted police bail. Magistrate Anthony Vella granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €3,000.