A 48-year-old man was charged with sexually assaulting a vulnerable 19-year-old girl last Friday.

Lawrence Mangion, from Vittoriosa, pleaded not guilty to violent indecent assault, holding the young woman against her will and harassing her in Senglea at about 5pm.

Defence counsel Joseph Ellis asked for bail arguing that his client was presumed innocent and that he could be bound not to approach the alleged victim. He said his client was insisting he had had a consensual relationship with the girl.

However, Police Inspector Josric Mifsud said he was worried the accused would approach the victim who was vulnerable.

A psychological assessment was being carried out to determine the extent of her vulnerability, the officer said.

Moreover, he noted, there was a risk the alleged victim might go to Mr Mangion’s house – given her vulnerability – and so had to be protected.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja denied bail at this stage and ordered that the girl should testify in the next sitting. The magistrate ordered a ban on the publication of the victim’s name as well as details about her vulnerability.