Bolt Driver Remanded in Custody Over Alleged Sexual Assault of 17-Year-Old in Malta

Amir Hussein, 30, a Bolt driver from Fgura, has been remanded in custody after being charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl who said she had no money for her fare.

Bolt Driver Held After Alleged Assault of Teenage Girl Who Could Not Pay Fare

Amir Hussein, a 30-year-old Pakistani national residing in Fgura, has been remanded in custody after being charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl, Lovin Malta reports.

Hussein is employed as a Bolt driver. The incident is alleged to have taken place on 4th June, according to the prosecution before Magistrate Ann Marie Thake.

The 17-year-old — whose identity cannot be disclosed due to her age — boarded the accused's vehicle. She told him she had no money, even though the fare amounted to €4. The two then exchanged phone numbers.

At around 11.30pm that same evening, the accused sent her a text message saying he would collect her and take her to the Blue Grotto. The court heard that he took her hand and placed it on his genitals, and that she declined his request to engage in sexual activity. Police noted that the victim had at times been a patient at Mount Carmel Hospital.

Hussein pleaded not guilty. His defence, led by lawyers Nicholas Mifsud and Nicole Falzon, applied for bail and indicated that a Protection Order would be put in place. The defence also argued that the court had not yet heard the full account of the encounter, and that Hussein had a clean conduct record and was unaware the girl was vulnerable. It further noted that she had agreed to accompany him to the Blue Grotto at midnight.

The prosecution, led by Police Inspector Antonello Magri and lawyer Kristina Bartolo from the Office of the Advocate General, opposed bail on the grounds that the accused knew where the victim lived. Electronic tagging was considered as an alternative measure.

Magistrate Thake ruled against bail, stating that the girl had yet to testify, that she is vulnerable, and that the accused was in possession of both her address and mobile number. Electronic tagging was deemed insufficient as a guarantee. Hussein was detained under arrest.

Lawyer Nicolai Bugeja appeared as parte civile.

Source: Lovin Malta