Man denied bail for violating restraining order from ex-wife
The man allegedly violated the restraining order within days
A 33-year-old man was denied bail after being charged with breaching a restraining order taken out by his ex-wife.
The woman obtained the restraining order against the man after she went to the Domestic Violence Hub with her lawyer, Lennox Vella, to report him.
The man faced charges on New Year's Eve and pleaded guilty to harrasing his ex-wife. There he was handed the restraining order.
The woman had also reported her ex-husband several times in the past.
But just days after the New Year’s Eve order, the 33-year-old began contacting the woman again.
On New Year’s Day, he sent messages about the ex-couple’s children, and the next day he also sent her messages about their relationship, telling her he still loved her.
That day, he said he still loved the woman and wanted to hug her. He also claimed he had stopped using drugs and was ready to turn his life around.
On January 3, he asked her out on a date. Attempts to contact the woman continued.
The woman also told police that the man was contacting her colleagues, asking if she had another man, and sharing private information with them.
She said the situation was causing her anxiety and fear, and creating problems at work.
Defence lawyer Franco Debono requested bail, arguing that the messages were ones of “love” and that his client wanted to fix their relationship.
However, Magistrate Tanya Sammut denied bail because the man had breached the restraining order within days.
The man is pleading not guilty.
Police Inspector Carlos Cordina prosecuted.
Defence lawyers Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit assisted the accused.