A man was yesterday charged in court with repeatedly raping a girl below the age of 12 over a number of years.
The accused is a 32-year-old Libyan residing in Malta and his alleged victim is a Maltese girl, both of whose names are being withheld to protect her identity.
The Libyan was charged with committing various sexual crimes against the girl on separate occasions in 2010 and in the months and years leading up to that year.
The incidents allegedly took place in St Paul’s Bay and in other locations around the islands.
Among the charges are the repeated violent rape of the girl when she was aged under 12.
The man was also charged with violently indecently assaulting her, defiling her, holding her against her will in order to commit acts that violated her dignity and participating in sexual activities with her.
He pleaded not guilty and was refused bail.
Magistrate Francesco Depasquale issued a protection order over the girl and her family.
Police Inspectors Sandra Zammit and Sylvana Briffa prosecuted.