Man charged with harassing his ex-partner
The accused also claimed he was a victim of domestic violence
A man has been charged with harassing his partner and logging into her social media account without consent.
Muaad Mohamed Ali Algabae was taken to court on Sunday to answer to charges of domestic violence.
The charges were prompted by a police report filed the woman. The two had been in a four-year relationship and had a one-and-a-half year old daughter together.
In court, the relationship was described as unstable.
The woman broke things off with the accused, but on Friday Algabae called her repeatedly, went to her home and allegedly insulted and threatened her.
Police also learned that the accused had accessed her Instagram account without her consent.
When a risk assessment was carried out, the woman was shown to be at extreme risk.
The accused was arrested and police took his statement, which conflicted with his ex-partner’s version of events.
Lawyer Nicholas Mifsud, representing the accused, told the court that his client had also been the victim of a domestic violence spat with the same partner.
He mentioned an incident that took place in December, during which the accused called the police for help because he was concerned about his partner’s mental state.
However, when he was told that they could send an ambulance for a ‘doctor arrest’, he opted against the help because didn’t want his partner to end up in court.
During submissions for bail, the accused’s father testified that he was willing to house his son during the court proceedings and help support the accused’s daughter.
However, the prosecution pointed out that the father lives down the road from the matrimonial home where the ex-partner will be living.
His lawyer said the accused was open to a protection order and an assigned probation officer.
He also said the couple’s apartment was rented, making it easier for the ex-partner to seek another housing arrangement.
The prosecution still objected to bail, voicing concern about witness tampering, given that the accused and the alleged victim live on the same road and have a daughter together.
When the magistrate asked about possible arrangements for the daughter, Mifsud said the accused’s father has long been very involved with the daughter and wouldn’t mind serving as a ‘go-between’.
The court granted bail against a €2,000 deposit and €6,000 personal guarantee. The accused must obey an 8pm curfew and sign a bail book once a day.
Apart from a protection order in favour of the victim, the court also placed the accused under a treatment order for his alleged drinking and drug problem and a probation officer that will supervise him during the proceedings.
Magistrate Lara Lanfranco presided over the case. AG Lawyer Celine Fenech prosecuted alongside Inspector Christian Cauchi.