Pensioner charged with raping his granddaughter when she was eight years old

A 70-year-old man has been charged with raping his granddaughter when she was eight and nine years old.

The man appeared before magistrate Jean Paul Grech on Friday morning. He was accused of raping his granddaughter, who was under 12 years at the time of the incident. He was also accused of participating in sexual activities with her and corrupting her among other charges.

He pleaded not guilty.

Police inspector Wayne Buhagiar told the court that the girl, who is now 11, reported her grandfather to the police on April 29, 2024, alleging he raped her and subjected her to sexual abuse at his residence when she was eight and nine years old.

A magisterial inquiry was opened, and the man was arrested on Thursday, a year after the police report was filed, as the police inspector said the inquiry had to be concluded first.

Buhagiar explained that he spoke to the man’s family members, including the minor herself and her mother – the man’s daughter. He added that the child was under a care order and that other children also lived with the mother.

When the other children were asked if they had witnessed any inappropriate behaviour on the part of the grandfather, they said they had not.

The accused’s wife told police that he has mental health issues and was taken first to a health centre before being referred to Mater Dei Hospital.

Defence lawyer Marcus Degiorgio requested bail. The prosecution objected.

Degiorgio argued that the man has not seen the girl “in years” as she lived in a shelter, and that he had last met her in the presence of social workers. He added that the man has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and dementia.

Prosecutor Jurgen Dalli argued that the man and his daughter – the minor’s mother – were still in contact and were seen hugging outside the courtroom. Dalli argued that having mental health issues was not grounds for being granted bail.

“Until today, he was unaware that he was being investigated,” Dalli said.

He also explained that in the inquiry an expert was appointed to speak to the child, and she did not directly testify before the inquiring magistrate.

The accused's wife and other daughter took the witness stand and testified about the medicine he takes to manage his condition.

The prosecution noted that the defence could have easily summoned the man’s psychiatrist to confirm his health conditions.

Both witnesses said that the man had not had any contact with the alleged victim in up to two years and confirmed that the minor’s mother was still in touch with her. However, she sees her in the presence of social workers.

Bail was denied. The court recommended that the man undergoes an assessment to determine his suitability to be held at the Forensic Unit. It also told the prosecution to summon the minor and other civilian witnesses at the first available opportunity.

The court issued a ban on the names of the accused, the victim and their place of residence.

It also issued a protection order in favour of the minor.

Magistrate Jean Paul Grech presided over the arraignment.

AG lawyer Jurgen Dalli prosecuted assisted by police inspector Wayne Buhagiar.

Lawyer Marcus Degiorgio assisted the accused.