Woman was threatened with a gun by her former partner, court told

A 34-year-old crane operator was denied bail on Tuesday after being accused by his former partner of threatening her with a gun.

The man, whose identity was not disclosed by the court due to the potential impact on his children, is accused of threatening his ex-partner by driving recklessly with her in the car and acting violently towards her.

Inspector Christian Cauchi told the court that in the early hours of Sunday, the alleged victim arrived at a police station in a panicked state. She reported that she had argued with her former partner, who is also the father of two of her children,  because he believed she was speaking to other men.

According to the prosecution, the accused then drove the woman towards Birżebbuġa from Santa Venera angrily and recklessly. Upon arrival, the woman got out of the car, at which point the accused allegedly assaulted her. She told police she felt she was in danger.

The court heard that the accused also said he could potentially harm himself and told the woman that he would shoot her.

The woman later filed a report with the domestic violence unit and underwent a risk assessment.

The court was also told that the couple had been in a relationship for several years and shared children. The accused had previously served time in prison on charges similar to those he now faces.

After his release, the couple had reunited.

Lawyers Anthea Zammit and Delilah Vella, appearing for the accused, said that the alleged victim did not wish to continue with the proceedings and that a voice recording proved it. 

They said that within two hours of his release from prison, the accused returned home to find his former partner and children expressing affection towards him.

“This is a man who just wanted to keep his family together, but now she is playing with his good nature,” his lawyers said.

The defence added that the accused and the alleged victim had provided differing versions of events and noted that the accused had been drinking on April 12.

They also questioned whether there was any proof that the accused had driven recklessly. They argued that the only injury sustained by the alleged victim was an irritation caused by a shaving blade, and not by the accused.

Furthermore, the defence pointed out that the alleged firearm had not been found, despite several police searches in different locations.

They also claimed that the risk assessment included allegations made by the woman in a previous risk assessment against the accused. According to the accused's lawyers, the mention of a gun was intended to increase the severity of the assessment, insisting that the weapon does not exist.

Magistrate Monica Vella, who presided over the case, ordered that the accused remain anonymous and said she wished to hear the alleged victim's testimony at the earliest opportunity.

Bail was denied.

Magistrate Monica Vella presided.

Police inspector Christian Cauchi prosecuted.

Lawyers Anthea Zammit and Delilah Vella assisted the accused.