Man allegedly breached protection order accompanying mother in court
The 34-year-old was granted bail
A 34-year-old man was granted bail after pleading not guilty to breaching a protection order in favour of his estranged wife.
Luke Sant Berry from Mosta was accused of breaching a protection order and a set of bail conditions.
He pleaded not guilty.
Police inspector Omar Zammit told the court that Gail Berry reported her ex-husband for being at the family court and breaching the protection order.
Sant Berry had accompanied his mother to the family court when she was testifying in separate proceedings against his ex-wife. Sant Berry’s mother is the injured party in those proceedings.
By accompanying his mother, he was allegedly in breach of the protection order.
Lawyer Charles Mercieca explained that the woman, although she no longer lives at their matrimonial home, frequently goes there because she still has her belongings.
He insisted that the court should ensure that his client is adequately protected.
In court, it transpired that in separate criminal proceedings, the man had first given his mother’s address during the arraignment and was granted bail.
He later applied to return to the matrimonial home, which was upheld. The woman proceeded to file an application in a bid to get him out of the matrimonial home, which was dismissed.
The defence presented the relevant court documents.
Defence lawyer Lennox Vella requested bail.
The prosecution did not object.
The man’s mother took the stand and provided the court with her address. The man was granted bail against a €1,000 deposit and a €5,000 personal guarantee. He was ordered to sign the bail book three times a week.
Magistrate Noel Bartolo presided.
Police inspector Omar Zammit prosecuted. Lawyer Lennox Vella assisted the accused. Lawyer Charles Mercieca appeared for the alleged victim.