Accused of offending public morals

A 27-year-old man who was allegedly caught masturbating in public in front of two girls and a 30-year-old woman on separate occasions was yesterday placed under house arrest.

Tyrone Fava yesterday pleaded not guilty to defiling a 15-year-old and a 10-year-old girl, facilitating their corruption, offending public morals and possessing a knife on Monday.

The alleged incident took place at Dawret ix-Xatt, in Xgħajra. He also pleaded not guilty to harassing a 30-year-old woman and offending public morals the day before.

Police sources said the woman had managed to take down the number plate of Mr Fava’s car and filed a police report about what she had just seen. During investigations, Mr Fava allegedly admitted to committing the same crime on different occasions.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera placed Mr Fava under house arrest against a personal guarantee of €5,000.

She called his father to the witness stand and explained that he was to take his son to work every morning and bring him back. If his son were to be caught outside the house he would be immediately arrested and jailed. The magistrate also explained clearly to Mr Fava what would happen should he breach any bail conditions.

Police Inspectors Raymond Aquilina and Fabian Fleri prosecuted.

Lawyer Owen Bonnici appeared for the accused.