A husband who forcefully took a €17,000 diamond watch from his estranged wife was fined €400 on appeal for taking the law into his own hands.

Edward Cassar, 59, from Wardija took the watch when his former wife, Mary, turned up at their matrimonial home on June 9, 2009 to retrieve clothes and personal belongings while separation proceedings were in progress. She found the front gate secured with a lock and the maid had to open it for her.

As Ms Cassar walked towards the house, her husband was waiting at the door. An argument broke out between the two and he insisted that the watch be returned, adding that, during the separation proceedings, she had taken a number of valuable items from their house.

He had bought the watch for €11,650 in 2005 as a gift to her. It had since appreciated in value to €17,000, the court heard.

The Magistrates’ Court had cleared Mr Cassar of taking the watch and the Attorney General appealed, arguing that if Mr Cassar wanted it, he should have taken the matter to court instead of forcefully taking the timepiece.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia condemned the use of force Mr Cassar used on his wife and found him guilty of taking the law into his own hands.