MALTA
Times of Malta
by Matthew Xuereb
A 44-year-old priest, who is currently the chaplain of the airport chapel, was remanded in custody today after pleading not guilty to defiling three underage boys, participating in sexual acts with them and possession of child porn.
Fr Donald Bellizzi, who lives at a convent in Rabat, appeared under arrest before Magistrate Josette Demicoli. He was charged with defiling the children between 2010 and 2013, when they were still minors. They are now between 18 and 19 years old.
Police Inspector Joseph Busuttil told the court that the alleged abuse took place while the children were entrusted in his care and attended a vocation group that encouraged them to become priests. The group was composed of five boys but only three had alleged wrongdoing.
CHARGES BEING ‘STRONGLY CONTESTED’
Defence lawyer Giannella de Marco said her client was strongly contesting the charges being brought against him. She requested bail but the prosecution, which included police inspector John Spiteri, objected due to the vulnerability of witnesses in the case and also due to the possibility of tampering with evidence.
They said the witnesses all lived in the vicinity of Rabat and there were also witnesses who were priests living at the same convent.
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