A couple’s argument over electricity in their home and an elusive can of tuna fish, went terribly wrong when the man sent several items on the table flying, splattering his partner with the contents of an open tin of tomato paste.
The incident, which allegedly took place at around 5am on Monday morning, landed the man under arrest pending his arraignment merely hours later, where he was eventually granted bail.
Duty magistrate Francesco Depasquale heard the prosecution explain how the man’s partner had allegedly phoned for help, prompting the police to call at the couple’s home.
There they were met by a female wearing reddish-stained clothes. It later turned out they were the marks left by the contents of a tomato paste tin which had been flung by the man in a temper.
Social workers, called in to assess the case, at first came back with a medium-risk report. However, after consulting their superiors, the case was classified as one of ‘high risk’ since this had apparently not been a solitary incident but one in a repeated pattern of events between the couple.
That high-risk factor prompted the police to press charges against the alleged aggressor, a 40-year old Żabbar resident, for causing his partner to fear violence, as well as for threats and insults in her regard.
The man, currently unemployed, pleaded not guilty and requested bail, with legal aid lawyer Dunstan Camilleri pointing out that the offences charged were not of the most grievous kind and that his client satisfied the pre-requisites for bail.
The prosecution did not object.
In view of the circumstances of the case which allegedly revolved around a can of tuna, the court upheld the request for bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000 and an obligation to sign the bail book three times a week.
The court further issued a temporary protection order in favour of the alleged victim warning the man not to communicate with his partner in any way.
“What if she talks to me?” the man questioned.
“If she’s at home when you are, just go out and if need be ask the police for assistance just as she did. File a police report otherwise you’ll risk €5,000,” was the magistrate’s final word of advice.
Inspectors Eman Hayman and Oriana Spiteri prosecuted.