A man charged with raping a former girlfriend filed an application in court challenging the police to prosecute the woman for filing a false police report and lying under oath.
Johan Stellingwerf33-year-old Dutch Johan Stellingwerf had a four-month relationship with the woman, whom he is also accused of defrauding of some €25,000. The woman's name cannot be published by court order.
Magistrate Aaron Bugeja yesterday began hearing submissions by Mr Stellingwerf's lawyers.
Four criminal complaints were filed against the woman between November last year and August.
Police Superintendent Carmelo Bartolo testified the police have filed charges against the woman and a sitting has been fixed for January.
She is being accused of exercising a pretended right. He said that when he was informed about the challenge, he searched the woman's house and in a bag found underwear, T-shirts, socks and other clothes belonging to Mr Stellingwerf. She told police she kept the items because she had purchased them.
Supt. Bartolo said investigations on other criminal complaints were still under way. The sitting was postponed for the court to hear other police officers testify on their investigations.
In a previous sitting in the compilation of evidence against Mr Stellingwerf, before it continued behind closed doors, the court heard how in June last year the woman reported the rape that took place in April 2012. She, however, withdrew her complaint, only to have a change of heart two days later, telling the police to proceed with the case.
The woman is claiming that he had raped her several times over a period of two months, when they were in a relationship.
The man is insisting that the sex between the two was consensual.
Lawyer Jason Grima appeared for the Dutchman.