Grandfather to remain in custody over harassment charge

THE 73-year-old man accused of sexually harassing his 11-year-old granddaughter will remain in custody until his trial at the Paphos Assize Court on November 25, the Paphos district court ruled on Friday.

State prosecutor Simos Simeou asked the court that the defendant remain in custody until the trial starts, for fear of attempting to influence the child or fleeing the country. The defence objected to the demand, but after hearing the arguments of both sides, the court ruled that the suspect is to remain under custody until the trial.

According to the police, last week, the 11-year-old girl accompanied by her 33-year-old mother and a social worker, entered the Paphos CID and reported the grandfather for sexual harassing her.

Between August 1 and October 17, they claimed, on six separate occasions the 73-year-old acted indecently while alone at home with the girl.

Following the report, the man, who denied all charges, was arrested the same day.

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