Libyan embassy driver charged with rape

A Libyan embassy driver has been granted bail against a personal guarantee of €20,000 and a deposit of €400 after he pleaded not guilty to raping a Maltese woman three-and-a-half years ago.

The 35-year-old Libyan, from Birkirkara, allegedly took advantage of the woman, who is not being named by court order, during a party.

The woman was so drunk that she was unconscious on a bed, the prosecution said.

However, she only accused the Libyan of rape after her husband secured a DNA test which proved that the girl he believed was his daughter was not his own.

Defence lawyer Chris Cardona said that the woman only pressed the police to take action because of her marital problems and it would be an injustice to remand his client in custody.

Police Inspectors Louise Calleja and Elton Taliana objected to bail because of attempts to contact one of the witnesses.

In granting the accused bail, Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit warned him of the dire consequences of breaching the bail conditions.