Man accused of threatening former partner denied bail
The man's former partner alleged he threatened and hit her
A man has been denied bail after his former partner reported him to police for allegedly threatening and hitting her, which she claimed had caused her to miscarry their child.
Police inspector Antonello Magri told a court Monday that the alleged victim had attended the Domestic Violence Unit after arguing with her former partner.
The woman alleged the accused had hit her in an incident at the end of May while she was pregnant, causing her to miscarry their child. She undertook a risk assessment where she was deemed as being in “extreme danger”.
A second report was filed Saturday, when the woman alleged her former partner had threatened to seek retribution against her, telling her he would “put you in your place” by shooting her.
The suspect was arrested yesterday when he went to sign his bail book at noon.
In court, it transpired the woman stands accused of breaching a protection order issued in favour of her former partner in separate court proceedings where she is pleading not guilty to threatening him with a knife and running him over.
The woman allegedly contacted the accused, even though there was a court-imposed order in his favour barring her from communicating with him.
Defence lawyer Franco Debono asked Magri to confirm the woman was under investigation. The police inspector confirmed so, adding that a different investigator was handling the case.
The man, who cannot be named by court order, was accused of causing his former partner to fear that violence would be used against her, threatening her and misusing electronic equipment.
He was also accused of breaching five sets of bail conditions imposed in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024, and of recidivism.
Debono requested bail in light of the alleged protection order breach. The lawyer highlighted that the charges were in respect to alleged threats, which, although unlawful if substantiated, had not resulted in injury to the alleged victim.
The prosecution objected, noting the woman was yet to testify and that the accused was of a refractory character.
After hearing the submissions, the court denied the man bail and remanded him in custody in consideration of his criminal record and the proceedings still being at an early stage.
The woman’s lawyer, Yanica Barbara Sant, requested a ban on the publication of the name of the alleged victim, adding her client had three minor children, which she did not share with the accused.
The defence did not object.
The court ordered a ban on the names of both the victim and the accused.
Magistrate Leonard Caruana presided.
Police inspector Antonello Magri prosecuted.
Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adreana Zammit assisted the accused.
Lawyer Yanica Barbara Sant appeared for the woman.