A 28-year-old man from Mosta has been remanded in custody after continuing to harass his partner even while she was seeking shelter from domestic violence.

The woman, who has three children with the accused, had filed various police reports against him, prosecuting officer Joseph Busuttil told the court.

The man was charged with attempted violent indecent assault, causing his partner fear that she or he family would be injured, having in his possession a weapon for which he did not have a licence, assaulting her and being drunk in public.

The prosecution objected to him being granted bail, pointing out that he was a repeat offender.

"When it come to such cases, we don't arrest people unless the case is an extreme one," Insp. Busuttil told Magistrate Audrey Demicoli.

"His crimes are continuous in nature. This man has been sending his partner threatening messages, even now that she is at a shelter. She lives in continuous fear - and doesn't even dare venture outside to run errands."

Moreover, the inspector continued, the prosecution will be asking the couple's eight-year-old daughter to testify.

Legal aid lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace argued that the situation could be controlled by imposing a number of bail conditions and a protection order, which would safeguard the rights of both parties.

The court turned down the request for bail and the accused was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Lara Dimitrijevic appeared as parte civile for the victim.