Man charged with raping ex-partner's underage daughter

A 34-year-old salesman has been remanded in custody after he was accused of raping his partner’s 13-year-old daughter over a two-year span starting when the girl was 11.

The man was accused of raping the girl repeatedly in the most brutal manner, corrupting a minor, participating in sex acts with an underage girl and misuse of electronic communications equipment.

The man, who the court prohibited from being named in order to protect the identity of his victim, pleaded not guilty.

Bail was requested, with defence lawyer Rachel Tua arguing that there was no fear of him escaping from Malta. She said the man had just found a new job and there was no risk of him speaking to witnesses, especially if the court prohibited him.

Inspector Eman Hayman and Roxanne Tabone, prosecuting, argued that the nature of the crimes, which took place over a long time, militated against the man’s release. He used his position as a father figure to "turn the girl into a sex object", Hayman said.

“Up till recently the accused would continue to meet with the child even after the breakup of his relationship with her mother,” said the inspector. On one recent occasion, he had taken her to a football match and had sex with the child in his car.

The child still seeks him out for sex, Hayman explained.

Defence lawyer Rachel Tua argued that 13-year-olds today were not what they used to be and are more sexually active and aware.

The girl had sent nude photographs of herself to the accused, the lawyer added.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale, in view of there still being civilian witnesses to testify, including the girl herself, said it would not be appropriate to grant bail.