A 75-year-old Italian man on Tuesday denied defiling a teenage girl in Kilifi County.
The suspect, Pancino Renato, accused the parents of the complainant of attempting to frame him with the aim of extorting money from him.
While appearing before Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo, the man pleaded not guilty to the accusations leveled against him before he was granted a bond of Sh300 000 or cash bail Sh150, 000.
The court ordered the suspect to present his travel documents - two passports - pending hearing and determination of the case.
The magistrate also ordered the parents of the 15-year-old girl to take her for age assessment before the next court session to determine whether she is eligible for trial.
"The accused shall be released upon depositing a bond of Sh300, 000 or a cash bail of Sh.150, 000 and to deposit his two passports in court," said Odhiambo.
According to the Italian, the girl had claimed that she was 18 years old when they met some time back.
The foreigner reportedly tricked the girl to his house after he lied to her that he was going to pay her fees.
State Prosecutor Shakwila Ayeka told the court that the suspect must leave behind his two passports because he is likely to escape without the knowledge of the police before the case is determined.