A Scottish student has been extradited to Malta to face justice over the alleged rape of a woman he met while cruising the Mediterranean on a Maltese-registered liner.

The 20-year-old student allegedly raped the woman on the Celebrity cruise ship MV Reflection one year ago yesterday.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli heard that the accused and the woman were enjoying a cruise with their respective families.

According to the alleged victim’s British lawyer, Simon Gallant, the woman’s cruise became “a nightmare”.

The British student, who was travelling with her mother, father and younger brother, is claiming that her drink was spiked by a fellow passenger, who then allegedly indecently assaulted her and raped her. She came around in the cabin and found herself in a compromising position, she alleges.

On returning to the UK, the British police interviewed her and compiled evidence given by her and crew members.

The student is claiming that her drink was spiked by a fellow passenger, who then allegedly assaulted her

The man was brought to Malta on the strength of a European arrest warrant issued by the Maltese police. The case must be heard by a Maltese court because the alleged case took place on a vessel registered in Malta.

Defence lawyers Alessandro Lia and Nadine Sant asked the court to ban publication of their client’s name, citing presumption of innocence and the nature of the charges as their main reasons.

Lawyers Steve Tonna Lowell and Michaela Spiteri, appearing parte civile for the alleged victim, did not object to the ban request and even asked for a ban on the woman’s name.

Magistrate Demicoli accepted both requests and also upheld a request for bail against a €500 deposit and €3,500 personal guarantee.

The prosecution did not object to bail as long as the accused provided a fixed address in Malta.

Police Inspector Joseph Busuttil prosecuted.