Former policeman charged with rape stands by ‘not guilty’ plea

The young constable arraigned on Tuesday over the alleged rape of a fellow female officer, stood firm by his plea of ‘not guilty’ when his case continued to be heard in court on Wednesday. This decision not to reverse his original plea effectively brought to an end Wednesday's brief hearing, during which all had been set for the main witness, the alleged victim of the rape, to testify via video conference. At the very start of the sitting, the court, presided over by magistrate Monica Vella, was informed that lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia were to join lawyer Alfred Abela as defence counsel to the former police officer at the centre of criminal proceedings for various sexual offences. Subsequently, the defence team informed the court that their client was not prepared to admit to the charges, standing firm by his registered ‘not guilty’ plea. In view of this, the court, presided over by magistrate Monica Vella, who also presided over Tuesday’s arraignment, referred the case to the Registrar of the Courts, for it to be assigned so that proceedings might continue accordingly. The former constable, whose name has been banned by court order, has pleaded not guilty to...