A man will face a jury of his peers as he stands accused of raping his own nine-year-old daughter.

The man, a 47-year-old from Cospicua, allegedly raped his daughter on two separate occasions in 2004. The alleged abuse only emerged after the girl spoke out about what she had experienced to his doctrine teacher, telling them that her father had sexually abused her.

The case, overseen by Justice Aaron Bugeja, has already begun, and is being heard behind closed doors.

Anthony Vella and Kaylie Bonnett from the Attorney General’s office are prosecuting while Tonio Azzopardi is appearing for the accused.