A conductor who teaches music in various bandclubs was remanded in custody today after he pleaded not guilty to defiling and having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Sources close to the case said the two had been involved in a relationship for more than a year.

Defence lawyer Noel Camilleri asked for his client’s name to be banned as the case involved a minor but the request was denied. The man is also a soldier.

But Prosecutor Melvyn Camilleri argued there should not be a ban on the name of the accused because the only link the accused, Mario Testa, 41, of Qormi, had with the victim was that he used to teach her.

He also called for Mr Testa to be remanded in custody as none of his victims had testified and they frequented the same places. This, he said, might lead to tampering with evidence.

Mr Testa pleaded not guilty to defiling the girl, facilitating her corruption, participating in sexual acts with her and committing a crime he was duty bound to prevent.

Jose Herrera and Veronique Dalli are appearing for the girl.