Former policeman accused of raping colleague confirms not guilty plea

The former policeman who stands charged with raping one female officer at the police station where they were both stationed and sexually assaulting another in a police car in the months leading up to the 8 March this year, has confirmed his not guilty plea yesterday.

Lawyers for the man, who cannot be named due to a court order, had yesterday informed the court that the man was considering changing his guilty plea to an admission. However, when the case was called this morning, defence lawyer Alfred Abela informed Magistrate Monica Vella that the accused was “not prepared to admit the charges at this stage” and was sticking to his initial declaration before the courts.

The court therefore will now send the acts of the case to the registrar of courts so as to be assigned by rota to another magistrate who will preside over the compilation of evidence.

Inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Mark Mercieca are prosecuting. Lawyer Alfred Abela is defence counsel, together with Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia. Lara Dimitriyevic is appearing for the victims.