A 54-year-old priest from Rabat is due in court to face charges of violent sexual abuse against a mentally unstable patient, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.

He is also being accused of holding the woman against her will and committing indecent acts in public.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place at various locations over a period of years.

When contacted, the priest’s lawyers, Lucio and Michael Sciriha, said their client denied the charges.

They said they preferred not to comment about the case until it was heard in court.

Sources said police launched an investigation after an alleged victim filed a report against the priest.

Police Inspector Louise Calleja filed the charges in court on May 22 last year and the priest was notified to appear before Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona.

However, 17 months after the charges were filed the case against the priest has yet to begin as on three occasions he presented medical certificates stating he could not attend court sittings.

No media coverage will be given to this case as it is expected to be heard behind closed doors.

Sources said the woman, in her 40s, was at Mount Carmel Hospital following a suicide attempt at the time that the sexual assaults allegedly took place.

It is understood that the police are also investigating claims of sexual abuse against the priest by other women.

One of complainants claimed she was just 17 at the time.

In August, another priest, Jesmond Gauci, 38, from Xagħra, was charged with sexually abusing minors He served as a religion teacher at a secondary school in Malta and the education authorities have barred him from entering classrooms until the court proceedings are concluded.

The charges relate to crimes which allegedly took place in Gozo and were unrelated to his work at the school.

Lawyer Noel Bianco is appearing parte civile.

mxuereb@timesofmalta.com

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