Paphos District Court has allowed a man accused of sexually abusing two underage sisters not to be detained till his trial starts before the Assize court on March 1.
Even though the prosecutor had strongly pleaded against this arguing the accused and relative of the complainants could easily run into them considering the community’s small size, Philenews reported on Friday.
The sisters, now aged 18 and 13, reported the 60-year-old who is the godfather of one them 10 days ago. He is accused of abusing them over the past five years since they were 13 and 8, respectively.
The judge cited legislation in a similar case where the accused was allowed to be free under conditions and restrictions till the trial began.
He also argued there is no reasonable suspicion the accused would leave the Republic’s territory and that the restraining order forbidding him going near where the sisters live and move around was sufficient.
Family members of the complainants told Philenews the court’s decision was wrong considering the psychological state of the sisters.
