A 61-year-old market hawker was yesterday charged with raping a 14-year-old girl – the daughter of his son’s partner – over the course of a year.

The man, who cannot be named by court order to protect the identity of the girl, did not make a request for bail.

He was led away crying from the court room and remanded in custody.

He pleaded not guilty to raping the girl, defiling her and holding her against her will in the past year.

Sources close to the case said the girl used to accompany the man while he sold wares at his market stall but once they were done he would take her to Manoel Island where they would allegedly have sex.

Robert Abela is defending him. Police Inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted.

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