81 year old man accused of sexually abusing 5 year old girl

Aug 9 2022

An 81-year-old man has been accused in court of having sexually abused a 5-year-old girl after luring her into his Msida home on Monday.

The man pleaded not guilty to defilement of the minor, facilitating her defilement, committing sexual acts with a person under the age of 16, committing a non-consensual sexual act and committing the act whilst under probation which was handed back in 2020.

No details emerged during the hearing, with video testimony by the alleged victim and her father emerging as the case took place mostly ‘behind close doors.’

Time of Malta was informed that the accused was granted bail and ordered to sign a bail book twice weekly. He was ordered to deposit €5,000 and provide a personal guarantee of €15,000.

The accused and the alleged victim are not related.

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Doubts over 50 Cent’s Malta visit as DrumCode cancels event

Aug 9 2022

Taking to their Instagram page, Drumcode Festival Malta released an important announcement revealing that their September event will no longer be taking place.

‘We are heartbroken to give you the news that, due to an accumulation of unresolved problems with Pollen, the company responsible for providing venues, ticketing and accommodation […] we no longer have confidence in their ability to deliver the rigorous high standards of safety and customer experience we demand of an event presented under our name.’ The post went on to explain that the event has been cancelled as the standards were not being met when it came to customer and venue safety.

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‘The first concern of those affected will rightly be for the refund of ticket and accommodation packages bought from Pollen. We have strongly advised them that all refunds must be made without delay. You can contact Pollen directly at [email protected] or [email protected]’.

‘Your patience and support is very much appreciated. We will continue to push Pollen to complete refunds as quickly as possible’ the post ended. The news was picked up international news site ‘Sky News’, who reported that ‘event start-up Pollen on brink of collapse months after $150m fundraising’. More information as it comes out.

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The Gozo Move? Property sale deals highest in Gozo in 2022

Aug 9 2022

According to the National Statistics Office (NSO) the total number of final deeds of sale of residential property amounted to 1,246 during July of 2022. This is a decrease of 10.1% (140 deeds) compared to 2020.

The value of the deeds amounted to €307.8 million, 2.4% higher than the corresponding value from the same month in 2021.

The report revealed that 90% of the total number of final deeds of sale involved individual buyers. Companies comprised the majority of the rest.

The values of individual buyers amounted to around €260.5 million (84.6%). A decrease of 13.2% (146 arrangements) was also noted when it comes to promise of sale agreements relating to residential property, with 956 of such deals registered.

92.2% were individual property buyers, with companies also making up the rest. Gozo had the highest number of deeds of sale registered with 174 deeds. The sister island was followed by Birkirkara, Gzira, Imsida, Ta’ Xbiex and San Gwann at around 160 deeds.

Birgu, Isla, Bormla and Kalkara registered the smallest number of deeds.

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Far-right youth leader charged with threatening mother and carrying unlicensed firearm

Aug 9 2022

20-year-old far-right sympathiser and founder of Malta Right Wing Youths Eman Cross has been arraigned in court this morning being charged with threatening his mother and her partner. He was also accused of making threats and insults in excess of the limits of provocation and carrying a firearm without a permit.

He is being accused of the latter in breach of the Arms Act and with having committed such offences whilst under a probation order issued in February of 2021.

Cross, a resident of Hamrun, was arraigned before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit this morning by police inspector Sherona Buhagiar.

The accused had been previously expelled from other far right group Imperium Europa for ‘bad character and aggressive behaviour’ in 2021.

A treatment order, a restraining order and a separate request for seizure of the firearm were all requested.

Lawyer Charles Mercieca asked for a ban on publication of the man’s name, saying it could impact the employment prospects of the accused. However, the prosecution objected and argued that there is no reason for a ban as no minors are involved in the case.

Cross pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing the firearm as well as the breach of probation. However, he did not plead guilty to the charges relating to threats. He was placed under temporary supervision order and a treatment order.

Bail was requested but prosecution made no submissions on bail. If granted, the accused would be residing with his sister. Mercieca asked the court to make sure that Cross was allowed to go to work, stating that, given he is 20-years-old, he had only just tarted work and his financial means were limited.

The court upheld the request and ordered Cross to sign a bail book three times a week and observe a curfew. Bail was secured by a deposit of €300 and a €10,000 personal guarantee. Cross was placed under a treatment order for alcohol abuse and ordered to keep the peace with his family or face a fine of €500.

He was also ordered not to approach or talk to his mother and her partner. If he is found to have breached this decree, he could face a fine of up to €7000 or be jailed up to 2 years or both.

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