Father in custody for allegedly repeatedly raping his 9-year-old daughter

A 49-year-old man was taken into custody on Saturday after being accused of raping his nine-year-old daughter at least three times.

Suspicions against the German father of two first arose when his seven-year-old daughter made a comment during a school lesson that suggested possible suicidal thoughts. The teacher immediately alerted the school counselor, who spoke to the young girl.

At the time, the seven-year-old admitted that she allegedly witnessed her older sister being sexually abused by their father. When questioned, the nine-year-old victim confirmed the allegations and described three separate instances of the alleged abuse.

The child protection service was immediately notified and alerted the vice squad, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

The man pleaded not guilty at arraignment on Saturday. He was accused of, among other things, repeatedly raping his daughter, a vulnerable person living in the same household. He was also accused of false imprisonment, non-consensual sexual activity with a minor, defilement of a child under 16, physical intimacy with the victim and inducing fear of violence.

Presiding Judge Ann Marie Thake remanded the accused in custody as his lawyer had not applied for bail at the time. The court imposed a ban on publishing the names of the accused and the alleged victim.

The prosecution was led by Attorney General Cynthia Tomasuolo and Inspector Wayne Buhagiar, while legal aid lawyer Ilona Schembri represented the defence. Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi, Jacob Magri and Maria Claire Ellul also appeared parte civile for the alleged victim.