Drunk husband hit wife during argument, court hears
Son, 4, hid under a bed as parents argued, sister, 9, tried to separate them and was injured
A 36-year-old Għaxaq man has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to slightly injuring his wife and their minor daughter, causing them each a black eye.
The man, who is involved in construction, was accused of causing his wife and daughter to fear that violence would be used against them and slightly injuring them.
He was also accused of throwing a glass and a bottle at his wife, as well as wallet in a separate incident. He denied the charges.
Police inspector Audrey Micallef explained that last Saturday, the woman, accompanied by her children aged four and nine, turned up at the Domestic Violence Hub to file a report against her husband with whom she had been in a relationship for 20 years.
She told the police that her husband had come home drunk. He opened a can of beer while she was getting ready to go out. He then went next to her upstairs and started 'provoking' her, because she was going out and she replied to him “you always go out, and the one time I decide to go out [you come up with this].
The man allegedly hit her, causing her a black eye. Their younger son hid under the bed as they argued while the girl tried to separate her parents, and was injured as a result.
The man also allegedly called his wife a “slut” and alleged that she was going out to meet other men. He then took her keys and told her that if she left the house, she would not be able to return.
Before the woman and the children left, he threw his glass full of beer and a bottle in her direction.
The woman also reported another incident on December 18. On the day he had also returned home drunk and insisted that she should prepare his clothes as he got ready to go out for a Christmas dinner.
Their relationship was already rocky at the time, and she refused. He allegedly threw his wallet at her. She called the emergency services but the man was already gone by the time the police arrived.
During that incident, the man also smashed some Christmas décor.
The woman scored 15 on the risk assessment, meaning “severe risk”.
In court, defence lawyer Vincent Micallef requested bail, arguing that all the charges brought against his client bar two were contraventions. He explained that his client could live at an alternative residence, and the court could issue a protection order.
Police inspector Audrey Micallef objected on the basis of the risk of tampering with evidence and the fact that two civilian witnesses have not yet testified.
Parte civile lawyer Yanica Barbara Sant pointed out that her client has not yet testified. Moreover, she highlighted that her client and their minor children ended up on the streets after he took the keys. Her client needed her children’s medicine.
Micallef countered that his client was ready to allow the woman and their children to stay at their matrimonial home and would return the keys.
After hearing the submissions, the court granted the man bail, against a €1,000 deposit and a €9,000 personal guarantee. He was ordered to sign the bail book three times a week and observe a curfew. He was given 12 hours to hand over the keys to his wife. A ban on the names of the accused and the alleged victims was issued in view of the fact that one of the alleged victims is a minor. A protection order was issued in favour of the alleged victims.
Magistrate Ingrid Bianco presided over the arraignment. Police inspector Audrey Micallef prosecuted. Lawyers Vincent Micallef and Jacob Portelli appeared for the accused. Lawyer Yanica Barbara Sant appeared for the woman.