Updated 2.50pm

A 32-year old man who allegedly sexually abused a 10-year old boy was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges on Tuesday. 

Asher Anwer, a Pakistani national who settled in Malta and works as a kitchen assistant, was assisted by two interpreters as he pleaded not guilty to non-consensual sex with the minor, harassment, subjecting his alleged victim to physical intimacy and other acts of sexual connotations.

He was further charged with possessing, producing or showing indecent material involving minors. 

Anwer had been arrested by members of the police vice squad and officers from the Paola police station. 

Prosecuting inspectors Roxanne Tabone and Paul Camilleri objected to a request for bail in view of the fact that civilian witnesses were still to testify, further pointing out that the accused’s visa had since expired. 

On the other hand, legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech countered that the accused not only had a clean criminal record and a regular job in Malta, but the allegations concerned “a one-off incident” that the defence was contesting. 

After hearing submissions by both parties the court, presided over by magistrate Neville Camilleri, denied bail after taking note of the circumstances of the case, the nature of the charges and the fear of tampering with evidence. 

The court finally urged the prosecution to summon the alleged victim without delay, once the case was assigned for hearing.