Three men were taken to court today for allegedly having paid adolescent boys so that they could perform sexual acts on them.

George Bezzina, a 57-year-old cleaner from Senglea, Alexander Caruana, a 57-year-old bread hawker from Valletta and Raymond Charles Buttigieg, a 47-year-old sales manager from Birkirkara, were arraigned separately and charged with a string of sex offences involving three 15-year-old boys, as well as two others aged 16 and 17. 

They were accused of having coerced the underage boys into prostitution or into participating in a pornographic performance; acquired - through digital means - indecent material which showed underage people; produced and distributing the indecent material, and participated in sexual activities with minors.

Mr Bezzina alone was charged with cannabis resin possession.

Prosecuting officer Joseph Busuttil told the court that Mr Bezzina had been previously convicted of similar sex offences. He also informed the court that the police also had a pen drive with the accused's pornographic material.

Lawyer Carm Mifsud Bonnici requested bail for Mr Bezzina, which request was turned down by Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech in view of the seriousness of the alleged crimes and since numerous witnesses were yet to testify.

Insp. Busuttil confirmed that at least two of the minors were expected to testify.

Lawyers Robert Galea, appearing for Mr Caruana, and Franco Debono, appearing for Mr Buttigieg, did not submit any requests for bail.

The accused men were remanded in custody and the court issued a protection order in favour of the underage victims.