Doctor pleads not guilty to downloading child sexual abuse material
37-year-old arraigned under summons
A 37-year-old doctor pleaded not guilty to downloading child sexual abuse material that features children under the age of nine.
The man, who cannot be named by court order, was arraigned under summons on Monday afternoon.
He was also accused of accessing child sexual abuse material using his computer.
The defence requested a ban on the name of the doctor at the beginning of the sitting. The prosecution did not object to the ban. The court upheld the request and ordered that the name of the doctor or details which could reveal his identity are banned from publication.
Details of what led to the man being arraigned under summons were scant.
Defence lawyer Franco Debono requested a social inquiry report.
It transpired in court that the doctor had started receiving psychiatric treatment for his addiction.
The case was adjourned until next month.
Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit presided.
Police inspector Carl Pace prosecuted, while lawyers Franco Debono and Robert Galea appeared for the accused.