Man denied bail over sexual video of 'on-and-off' partner
Accused also charged with threatening woman and damaging her car
A 36-year-old Senglea man was denied bail after pleading not guilty to taking a private sexual video of his “on and off” partner.
The man appeared in court on Monday, where he was accused of taking the video, causing the woman fear that violence would be used against her, using a knife, damaging her vehicle, and threatening her.
He was further accused of breaching a restraining order and committing a crime during the operative period of a probation order.
The man denied the charges.
Police inspector Omar Zammit explained that on December 27, at about 3am, the woman filed a report against the accused, explaining that they had an on-and-off relationship. During the argument, the man allegedly threatened her with a knife. They then went out on the street, and he damaged her car.
Zammit added that a court had already issued a restraining order in favour of the woman, and the report filed by the woman showed that it was being breached.
He added that the man allegedly took a video of them in a sexual act without the woman’s consent.
The man was arrested on Sunday.
Lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar requested bail, to which the prosecution objected, noting that the woman had not yet testified.
The defence stressed that the man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Moreover, the police had the video, and the man had already given his statement to the police. He added that the court could impose adequate conditions.
“Many individuals in a relationship opt to file a police report when they have issues and then proceed to drop the charges. Despite a protection order being issued in separate proceedings, this was completely ignored by the alleged victim, and they were back together,” Mifsud Cutajar said.
The court denied the man bail, and he was remanded in custody.
Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo presided.
Police inspector Omar Zammit prosecuted.
Lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar appeared for the accused, while lawyers Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit appeared for the alleged victim.