A Dutchman who was this evening charged with violent indecent assault on a teenager who was walking back home from Paceville claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.

The man, Biondy Clayd Raafenberg, 25, who works for an iGaming company, also claimed he was beaten up by the police when he was under arrest.

He was charged with committing violent indecent assault on an 18-year-old woman at about 4am yesterday and holding her against her will. He was also accused of escaping from police custody, resisting the police at the St Julian’s police station and damaging their uniforms.

The court heard how the Dutchman was subsequently arrested near Burger King in Paceville after the victim recognised him as her assailant through the clothes he was wearing.

The defence insisted that it was a case of mistaken identity, as the accused was only recognised by his clothes. They insisted their client was with his roommate and another friend at Havana and then walked up to Burger King, where he was arrested.

The lawyer requested a ban on the publication of his name but Magistrate Aaron Bugeja turned it down, saying he was an adult and there were no connections to the victim.

Following a request by the defence, the court ordered that the prosecution exhibits the CCTV footage of Paceville centre and of the area outside the police station.

The man was granted bail against a deposit of €3,000 and a personal guarantee of €7,000. The court also banned him from going to Paceville and from approaching the alleged victim.

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted, while lawyers Albert Zerafa and Valentina Lattughi represented the accused.