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8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 2 SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWS Jury trial over alleged rape and sexual abuse of 13-year-old girl starts today DISCLAIMER: This article con- tains graphic details that some readers might find disturbing A man accused of raping and sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl is due to stand trial before a jury in the Criminal Court on Tuesday. The case centres on allegations dating back to 2018 and 2019, when the girl was 13. The At- torney General has filed a three- count bill of indictment accusing the man of aggravated rape, cor- rupting a person under the age of 16, and participating in sexual activities with a person under 16. According to the prosecution's case, the girl was friends with the accused's daughter after the two met through gymnastics and would sometimes sleep over at the family's home. The first alleged incident took place at a residence in Naxxar in around October 2018. Prosecutors claim the girl was upstairs while her friend was downstairs doing homework and the accused's partner was at work. The bill of indictment alleges the accused called the girl into his bedroom, where he sexually as- saulted her. The prosecution says the incident stopped when the man's daughter called out to him from downstairs. A second alleged incident is said to have taken place several months later, on 28 June 2019, during a weekend boat trip. According to the indictment, the girl had been invited to spend the weekend on the accused's boat with the family. At one point, the accused was allegedly left alone on the vessel with the girl after his daughter and partner went ashore for a gymnastics lesson. Prosecutors allege that the ac- cused called the girl over on the pretext of showing her a new bed on the boat before sexually as- saulting her. The indictment fur- ther alleges that he attempted to penetrate her before she managed to push him away. The girl was 13 at the time. The prosecution maintains that the alleged conduct across the two incidents amounts to aggravated rape because the alleged victim was a minor and under the age of 15. The charge covers alleged acts carried out between October 2018 and June 2019 at the Naxxar resi- dence and on the boat. Under the second count, the accused is charged with corrupt- ing a person under the age of 16 during a period in which the girl had temporarily been entrusted to his care. The Attorney General is seeking a prison term of between six and 12 years upon conviction on that count. The third count accuses the man of participating in sexual ac- tivities with a person under 16 in connection with the same alleged events. The indictment specifies a punishment of between seven- and 20-years' imprisonment upon conviction on that charge. For the aggravated rape charge, the bill of indictment lists a pos- sible prison sentence of between five and 20 years if the accused is found guilty. The case has previously been the subject of a series of preliminary legal challenges by the defence, in- cluding objections concerning the validity of the indictment and the admissibility of evidence. The de- fence had also challenged the fact that the three charges were being brought together and raised pro- cedural complaints over the com- pilation of evidence. The accused is being represent- ed by lawyers Mario Mifsud and Nicholas Mifsud. Judge Conuelo Scerri Herrera is presiding over the case. If you or someone you know needs support, please go to https://www.maltatoday.com. mt/help to reach out to profes- sional help services available in Malta. Teachers' union will not support re-introduction of vocational school without research JAELLE BORG jborgmediatoday.com.mt THE Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) said it will not support the opening of a recently announced vocational school without seeing research that supports such a measure. The MUT's statement came after Education Minister Byron Camilleri announced plans for a potential vocational secondary school prior to launching a for- mal public consultation on the matter. On Tuesday, the MUT said that it was not consulted about the proposal prior to its announce- ment. The union insisted that any proposal that could significant- ly change educational provision must be based on research, eval- uation and consultation. The MUT reminded that voca- tional subjects were introduced in all secondary schools over the past decade and that these sub- jects were continuously shaped and reshaped throughout their existence. The union explained that other reforms to vocational teaching led to the introduction of a more hands-on vocational education through SEAC subjects. "Whilst vocational subjects in secondary schools were a test base for the past decade with on- going changes, no evaluation of the entire system has been carried out." In view of this, the MUT said it will not support the introduction of a new vocational secondary school unless the Education Min- istry provides research demon- strating the educational need for such a school. The union called for an evalu- ation of the existing vocational educational provision in second- ary schools that includes its ef- fectiveness. The MUT insisted that consultation must then take place with the relevant stakehold- ers within the education sector, including the Faculty of Educa- tion, MATSEC, the NCF Board, Church and Independent schools, MCAST, ITS, IFE and the Na- tional Skills Council. "Furthermore, compulsory edu- cation is meant to provide a ho- listic educational experience to students. The Union is concerned about a vocational education route which segregates students and closes their opportunities for holistic development. Ultimate- ly, this was the main criticism which led to the closure of trades schools." The MUT flagged the risk of an educational model designed around the trades and skills cur- rently in demand which risks be- coming outdated. The MUT has requested a meet- ing with the Education Ministry to discuss the proposal. Ministry: Vocational school proposal is still open for consultation The Education Ministry has re- sponded by insisting no policy has been finalised, saying its policies are shaped with families at their centre. "Every proposal is measured against whether it serves the well- being, aspirations and everyday realities of Maltese and Gozitan families and their children," It said, highlighting that parents, students and educators experi- ence the education system differ- ently, and that these lived realities and this feedback must continue to inform government policy. A consultation process with ed- ucation stakeholders and fora will start before drafting any policy, ensuring their expertise and con- cerns are heard from the begin- ning. After drafting and finalising the policy, it will be published for public consultation, allowing families, educators, and the pub- lic to contribute before decisions are made. The ministry emphasised that future reforms should aim to unite everyone, ensuring that every child in Malta and Gozo has the opportunity and support to pursue their dreams with con- fidence. It added that it looks for- ward to continuing this process of engagement with all stakeholders in the coming weeks. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt