Woman found in Ricasoli chamber was thrown into the sea, raped at knife-point

Roddy Williams, the 37-year-old man who charged with the kidnapping of his estranged wife, allegedly threw his victim down the stairs and into the cold water before throwing her into a tunnel and kept her in a dark chamber for three days. The court also heard yesterday how the victim was raped twice during the ordeal.

Williams stands charged with kidnapping, rape, harassment, and holding a person against their will causing them fear. He appeared yesterday before the courts as the compilation of evidence continued.

The court heard how the police were alerted to Nathalie Williams’ disappearance by her father. On the evening of 30 October, the police were called to break up a fight between the accused and the estranged wife’s family. Upon being questioned by the police, Williams told the authorities that his wife was hidden in a chamber beneath Ricasoli. Nathalie was found unconscious and in the dark.

When the victim spoke to a legal expert, she explained that her former husband had told her to meet him at Ricasoli. She had hoped that this meeting would end things on a friendly note.

The suspect allegedly pushed her down the stairs causing her to fall into the sea. Upon lifting herself up from the sea, the man dragged her into a maze of chambers in the fortifications and threatened to hurt her and her family. Williams then raped her at knife point. She explained that the accused had told her that he had the right to have sex with her if she truly was his wife.

While testifying in court, Inspector Josric Mifsud explained that Ms Williams had changed her testimony because she had first spoken to the police only hours after the terrifying ordeal and was still in trauma.

Inspectors Josric Mifsud and Paula Ciantar led the prosecution. Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Yanika Vidal were defence counsel. Lawyers Ludvic Caruana and Janice Borg appeared parte civile.