A Tunisian man was remanded in custody yesterday after pleading not guilty to beating up his wife who accused him of being lazy.

The incident allegedly happened in the couple’s St Paul’s Bay apartment at 6.30am on Monday in front of their four-year-old daughter.

The man, 31, is not being named, to protect the identity of the woman, who appeared in court with a black eye and butterfly stitches on her face.

He pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring his wife, threatening her and causing her to fear that violence will be used against her.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman appointed court expert Mario Scerri to examine the woman’s injuries. She also accepted defence lawyer Stefano Filletti’s request for the expert to examine his client, who had bite marks.

Prosecuting officer Godwin Scerri objected to the man’s request for bail, saying there was a possibility that he would tamper with evidence or even abscond.

Lawyer Franco Galea, appearing parte civile for the woman, said this incident was not the first, adding that other, less serious incidents had happened in the past, both in Malta and in Tunisia.

Dr Filletti rebutted that there were no reports of any previous incidents and that the claim was not backed by any evidence.

Magistrate Hayman turned down the request and ordered the prosecution to produce all witnesses at the next sitting.