Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A Dutchman facing criminal proceedings over alleged sexual assault just outside Paceville has consented to being extradited to The Netherlands to serve a prison sentence for armed robbery and extortion.

However, Magistrate Gabriella Vella told Biondy Clayd Raafenberg, a 25-year-old waiter who lives in Valletta, that he would only be able to leave the island after the assault case is concluded.

Police Inspector Mario Cuschieri told the court that Mr Raafenberg was arrested on Tuesday after he failed to turn up at the Valletta police station to sign the bail book.

Police enquiries about his whereabouts led them to a restaurant in Old Theatre Street in Valletta where he works as a waiter.

After Mr Raafenberg apologised for breaching one of the bail conditions and considering that it was his first time, Magistrate Vella fined him €150. He was also remanded in custody.

The waiter stands charged with violent indecent assault of an 18-year-old Maltese girl near Sunrise Inn as she was walking back home from Paceville at about 4am on October 16 last year. At the time, he worked for an iGaming company based in Malta.

He is pleading not guilty to the charge and to holding her against her will, escaping from police custody, resisting the police at the St Julian’s police station and damaging officers’ uniforms.

Police Inspector Trevor Micallef, who is prosecuting in that case, told the court the accused threw the girl to the ground, ripped off her clothes and groped her but somehow managed to escape.

He was subsequently arrested near Burger King after the victim recognised him from his clothes.