Court acquits Pasqualino Cefai of sexual harassment charges

A court found Pasqualino Cefai, who is currently serving a 7-year jail term for stabbing another man in a Gozo courtroom, not guilty of sexual harassment.

The victim, whose name cannot be published by order of the court, alleged that on 21 May 2010, she got into a car with Cefai, who then molested her.

She claimed that while she was at a bar in Marsalforn, a man kept topping up her alcoholic drink while she only asked for coffee. The man told her that a friend of his would drive her home. She said she trusted the man, but while driving, he started touching her leg.

The alleged victim also claimed that Cefai stopped the car several times and asked her to kiss him. She refused and asked him to get her home because she was feeling sick. Then he dropped her somewhere in Victoria and she made her way home on foot.

The accused admitted that he was the person who gave her a lift home, but denied the claims that he touched her. He insisted that the person was drunk and vomited in his car more than once.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud said that the prosecution has to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, while the defence has to work on basis of probability. He remarked that in this case, the court is faced with two very opposing version of events.

The court found Pasqualino Cefai not guilty of the charges presented against him.

Prosecution was led by Inspector Frank Anthony Tabone.