Man accused of trying to kill two girls back in court over domestic violence
Court hears alleged assault took place in front of partner’s minor daughter
A 44-year-old man, who is separately accused of attempting to murder his two step daughters, was back in court on Thursday afternoon facing domestic violence charges.
Nazzareno Dalli from Cospicua was accused of causing his partner and her daughter fear that violence would be used against them, in an incident that took place in front of the child.
He was also accused of causing the woman slight injuries, threatening and insulting her as well as wilfully damaging her belongings.
The man was also charged with breaching a set of bail conditions and recidivism.
He denied the charges.
Dalli is facing separate criminal proceedings over the alleged attempted murder of two girls who were aged 12 and 15 at the time. The incident took place in March 2024 at their home on Triq San Tumas in Marsa.
He was eventually granted bail in those proceedings in December that year.
On Thursday afternoon, Dalli was back in the dock.
Police inspector Omar Zammit explained that the man’s partner filed a report against Dalli alleging that he first threw stuff at her but did not hit her and then hit her head against the wall. The woman’s minor daughter intervened to break the fight.
The woman went to the Domestic Violence Hub in Santa Luċija and told the officers she wanted to speak to her lawyer. The police took her to a health centre to get her injuries certified.
Dalli was arrested on Wednesday.
In court it transpired that Dalli told the police there was an argument but gave a contrasting version of the incident.
Before requesting bail, defence lawyers Nicholas Mifsud and Franco Debono informed the court that the man would be living at an alternative address.
Zammit objected to the bail request, noting that the charges Dalli was facing carried a prison term and there were civilian witnesses including a minor. He also cited Dalli’s criminal record and that he was granted bail in separate proceedings.
Mifsud countered that the man would reside at an alternative address and the court could prohibit him from entering Ħamrun, where the woman lives.
He also highlighted that the woman scored a relatively low result – that of four – on the risk assessment, unlike what is usually seen in court.
Zammit rebutted that nothing stops the police from exercising their discretion to arrest someone and arraign them, even when the case is classified as low risk.
Debono argued that suitable conditions could be imposed and the man could be granted bail against suitable conditions.
The court denied the man bail and he was remanded in custody.
It also urged the prosecution to summon the alleged victims to testify at their earliest convenience.
Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided.
Police inspector Omar Zammit prosecuted.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Nicholas Mifsud appeared for the accused.
Lawyer Ishmael Psaila appeared parte civile.