An assistant school principal and official of a catechist society was yesterday charged with sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy during a swimming trip on Sunday.

Anthony Callus, 46, of Siġġiewi, assistant head of the church’s St Michael’s school in Santa Venera and treasurer of Christian doctrine society MUSEUM, pleaded not guilty to defiling the boy, violent indecent assault, harassment and offending public morals.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud said the incident allegedly happened as Mr Callus was lifting the boy out of the sea a number of times and then held him in such a way so that his private parts would rub against the boy from behind.

They were at a swimming spot near the Splash and Fun water park in Baħar ic-Ċagħaq.

Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi requested bail on grounds that there was no fear of tampering with evidence because the boy lived with his parents.

Furthermore, his client had a clean police record and would definitely not leave the island.

The prosecution objected to bail.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti said that if bail were granted, it would be perceived as an obstacle to the administration of justice, and so he remanded the accused in custody.