Youth cleared of raping his twin nieces

A 20-year-old youth from Zebbug was acquitted of raping his twin nieces when he was still 13 years old, and they were seven, after the court ruled that the evidence was full of inconsistencies and that the victim’s parents dropped charges.

Prosecuting inspector Raymond Aquilina told the court that in 2008, the twins' grandmother filed a report with Agenzija Appogg alleging that her grandchildren were being sexually abused. At first fingers were pointed at their mother’s partner, who they accused of grabbing their bottom. However at a later stage, the twins said it was their young uncle who had abused them sexually.

The boy, then aged 13, was charged with raping his nieces, holding them against their will and defilement of minors through sexual activities.

Testifying through video conference, one of the twins recounted that her uncle used to take her and her sister to his room to dance for him. Once inside, the uncle would allegedly kiss them, fondle them, expose himself and even have sex with them.

On other occasions, the teenager had oral sex with the children. The alleged acts took place three times a week, up until the age of 11.

The witness told the court that she had spoken to her aunt about the abuse but nothing happened. When they were 11, the twins told their mother, who reported the case to the police. The girl claimed that the family disliked her mother’s partner so they pointed fingers at him, but then decided to tell the truth about their uncle.

The accused’s sister took the witness stand, explaining that the twins were entrusted to her care for two summers when their mother was sick. It was at this time that she learnt about the abuse.

The accused chose to testify in his own case. He denied the allegations and argued that the twins changed their versions after their mother spoke to them. At the end of the sitting, the twins’ parents declared they were renouncing criminal action against the accused and had no interest in taking the case further.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli ruled that the court cannot find any guilt in the accused as evidence given by the twins was filled with doubts and inconsistencies. The youth was acquitted of all charges.

Inspector Raymond Aquilina prosecuted while Dr Mark Vassallo appeared for the accused.