Doctor pleads not guilty to child abuse material charges
- Dignity 4Patients
- Jan 13
- 2 min read
By Damian Micallef- 13/01/2026- Newsbook Malta- [Malta]
A 37-year-old doctor was arraigned in court on Monday evening, where he pleaded not guilty to charges involving the downloading and accessing of child sexual abuse material allegedly depicting children under the age of nine.
The court issued an immediate order prohibiting the publication of the accused’s name or any details that could lead to his identification.
At the start of the sitting, defence lawyer Franco Debono formally requested a non-publication order. The prosecution raised no objection, and Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit granted the request, confirming that the accused’s identity must remain confidential throughout the proceedings.
The court heard that the charges relate both to the downloading of illegal material and to accessing it through the accused’s personal computer. However, prosecutors did not provide detailed information about the circumstances that led to the investigation at this stage, keeping their submissions limited.
Defence counsel requested that a social inquiry report be prepared to assess the accused’s personal and psychological situation. It also emerged during submissions that the doctor has already begun receiving psychiatric treatment linked to addiction issues — a fact noted by the court without entering into the merits of the case.
The proceedings were adjourned to next month for further hearings.
The case is being prosecuted by Inspector Carl Pace. Lawyers Franco Debono and Robert Borg are appearing for the defence.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: Medical professionals hold positions of trust, particularly in relation to patients and vulnerable individuals. This responsibility extends beyond the clinical setting. A medical professional’s conduct outside the workplace should be consistent with the ethical standards of the profession.
