Man remanded over alleged violent sexual assault on his former partner
Court hears how the victim was allegedly left bleeding heavily
A 29-year-old Palestinian man was remanded in custody after being accused of sexually assaulting his former partner with violence and allegedly causing her injuries that left her bleeding heavily.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Gianella Camilleri Busuttil, heard that on May 12 a report was filed concerning an alleged incident that had taken place three weeks earlier at a residence in Fgura. The accused had reportedly been in an intimate relationship with the alleged victim for more than 10 months.
The prosecution said that on the night of the incident, the couple were on the balcony of the accused's residence in Fgura at around 8pm when he allegedly forced the woman inside, removed her clothes and threw her on the bed.
Despite the victim clearly telling him she did not want to have sexual relations with him at that moment, he allegedly persisted and forcibly inserted his hands into her private parts.
Police said the accused used so much force that when the victim went to the bathroom she realised she was losing a large amount of blood.
The court also heard that the day after the incident, the couple had planned to go to the beach together. The inspector explained that the victim told the accused she could not go swimming because she needed to visit a clinic due to the injuries she had suffered following the alleged sexual assault. The accused allegedly told her he would accompany her because he too needed medical assistance for minor injuries to his finger.
When doctors asked the woman how she had sustained the injuries, she said she had hurt herself at the beach. She later told police she had been too afraid to tell the truth because the accused was beside her.
The court rejected a defence request for bail.
The prosecution was led by Inspectors Krista Spiteri Lucas and Colin Sheldon.