MALTA
Malta Today
Daniel Mizzi 19 August 2014
A priest in his 40s was today arraigned in court in Gozo to face charges of child molestation. He was released on bail against “a hefty” personal guarantee and deposit.
It is understood that the victims were all girls.
The priest was seen leaving the courtroom with his lawyer, getting into a Toyota Yaris and speeding off to avoid journalists and members of the media. The court’s decision to ban the publication of the name also restricts media houses from showing his face in photographs.
“Some witnesses, who are still young, are afraid to testify,” sources told this newspaper.
Magistrate Paul Coppini upheld a request by the priest’s defence lawyer, Carmelo Galea, for the case to be heard behind closed doors. The request was upheld almost immediately by the court.
However, it is thought the magistrate put the sitting forward by 24 hours after arguing that the prosecution had enough evidence to proceed. So far there is no ban on the publication of details, which is normally reserved for cases involving minors who are related to the accused.
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