A young man raped the mother of his 15-year-old girlfriend by saying that she had brought the devil into the house, according to testimony that has left defence lawyers shaking their heads.

“Neither I, nor my colleagues, have ever met such a case in over 22 years,” lawyer Jason Azzopardi said, telling about an exorcism which he said had resulted in objects flying around the house.

The 18-year old unemployed Cospicua resident, whose name publication was banned under court order, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to rape and other charges of a sexual nature mingled with alleged occult phenomena.

He was also charged with the rape of his mother’s girlfriend, besides holding her and her daughter against their will, forcing both women to perform indecent acts, slightly injuring them and causing them to fear violence.

He would order the girl to have sex with her mother

He was further charged with having engaged in sexual acts with his 15-year old girlfriend, with whom he had been living at her mother’s home.

Prosecuting inspector Eman Hayman explained how the police had been contacted by the 15-year-old, who complained of the young man’s violent treatment and controlling behaviour.

“The mother practised the occult. The accused would play on the girl’s superstitions by saying that she had opened the door to the devil. He took advantage of her. He would use a particular voice. This was all done to satisfy the man’s sexual fantasies. He would manipulate the woman, giving her all types of commands, ranging from the simple to the sexual,” the inspector explained.

“He would order the girl to have sex with her mother,” the inspector went on, delving into further gruesome details of the way the accused controlled his victims.

“We believe it is vital to establish the true chronology and nature of the facts. One woman was in Mount Carmel Hospital several times,” Dr Azzopardi intervened, requesting the court to appoint a psychiatric expert to examine the victims before these were summoned to testify.

The other defence lawyer, Kris Busietta, explained further that they had been informed that the mother had “been admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital around 20-25 times, but we don’t know why."

"They are the primary witnesses in this case: in order to be able to question the witnesses we need to know the condition of the witness,” he argued.

The prosecution objected, however, stating that the lawyers were attempting to intimidate the witnesses and question their credibility, adding that the court could appoint an expert if it ever perceived the need for this.

After hearing submissions on this request, the court, presided over by magistrate Rachel Montebello turned down the request, pointing out that the court could appoint an expert if it felt this was necessary, to assist the alleged victims when testifying.

A request by the prosecution for a technological expert to preserve video graphic evidence brought about further contestations. Inspector Hayman explained that the victim had claimed that some of the activity had been filmed, on the instructions of the accused.

The request was not objected to by the defence who stated that they did not fear the truth being revealed.

Objects flew, voices in strange languages were heard. This is why there are certain injuries

“It requires particular attention because the occult is involved. This was not a mere hobby: an exorcist had been summoned and had to celebrate Mass in the property. Objects flew, voices in strange languages were heard. This is why there are certain injuries,” Dr Azzopardi said.

“The accused has been on police bail since last month; had he wanted to speak to one of the witnesses, he had ample time to do that, even though he does not need to.”

The accused was still presumed innocent, Dr Azzopardi went on, explaining that the charges were not to be taken at face value, further pointing out that no magisterial inquiry had been requested by the police, although this case carried a possible jail term of 11 years.

However, the request for bail was denied by the court in view of a real risk of tampering with evidence, the fact that no evidence appeared to have been preserved as well as in view of the vulnerability of the alleged victims in whose favour the court also issued a Protection Order.

Inspectors Eman Hayman and Oriana Spiteri prosecuted. Lawyers Jason Azzopardi, Kris Busietta and Julian Farrugia were defence counsel.