‘One or two girls?’: Cab driver testifies in Marsascala gang rape case

A Bolt cab driver told the court on Thursday that he received messages asking how many women he was transporting and querying "what had been paid for" as he drove the alleged victim in the Marsascala gang rape case to a meeting point on the night of the incident.

The testimony was heard during the compilation of evidence against five Syrian nationals, including two minors, who stand accused of raping a woman at gunpoint in Marsascala.

The accused, aged between 16 and 21, have all pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege that while two of the men carried out the rape, the others acted as lookouts, filmed the assault or otherwise assisted in the crime.

Taking the witness stand, the driver described a series of unusual circumstances surrounding the booking.

He said the ride originated in Sliema and was booked to Marsascala through an account identified only by the initial "K". After arriving at the pickup location, he messaged the customer and a young woman, whom he described as “appearing Eastern European or Russian with short black hair and a petite build”, approached the vehicle.

While waiting to depart, he received messages from the account holder asking whether one or two women had entered the vehicle and querying "what had been paid for".

The driver said he was unable to speak to the passenger because of a language barrier. He eventually dropped her off near a seafront bus stop in Marsascala.

Although the woman appeared to believe the fare had already been paid, she paid the driver in cash upon arrival. The witness said that at that point a man, whom he estimated to be between 20 and 25 years old, approached the vehicle to settle the fare, but was informed it had already been paid.

The driver told the court that the woman appeared "lost" before he drove away. He said he could not identify the man because of poor visibility and the clothing he was wearing.

The owner of the Marsascala residence were the alleged assault took place also took the witness stand, confirming that police had contacted him regarding criminal activity on his property. He said the property was empty and awaiting a Planning Authority demolition permit.

The owner detailed a series of break-ins at the property over the past year. In the first incident, he discovered the front door had been completely forced open, though neighbours reported hearing nothing.

The property was breached a second time, during which the electricity meter was stolen. Finally, on March 5, the owner discovered that the water meter had been violently ripped out. Upon entering the house, he found ransacked wardrobes, used coffee cups, and a bathroom sink that had been detached and left in a bedroom, prompting him to alert the police immediately.

Forensic doctor Edward Cherubino testified about his medical examination of the victim on April 17. Cherubino stated that the physical injuries included bruising on her buttocks which were consistent with the account she gave to the police.

He confirmed that forensic swabs were taken and subsequently handed over to gynecologist Marisa Cassar for DNA testing.

The sitting concluded with a disagreement between the prosecution and the defence regarding how the victim will deliver her testimony.

The victim is expected to testify during the next scheduled court sitting.

Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo presided over the court.

The prosecution is led by inspectors Lydon Zammit, Keith Rizzo and Chantelle Mifsud, together with AG lawyers Clive Aquilina and Jennifer Polidano.

The accused are being represented by Franco Debono, Adreana Zammit, Jean Paul Sammut, Kyle Briffa, Matthew Mamo and Martina Herrera.