Man drops assault case against ex 'for the sake of their 7-month-old son'

A case against a 29-year-old woman from Żabbar, accused of assaulting and threatening her former partner, has been dropped after the victim withdrew his complaints for the sake of their 7-month-old son.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to assaulting and threatening the man.

The court heard that the couple had been together for four years but had been separated for months.  

The alleged altercation resulted in slight injuries to the victim, specifically an injury to his leg and a scratch on his hand.

The prosecution informed the court that the incident took place on June 23 at around 7.30pm. The victim subsequently reported the matter to the Domestic Violence Hub in Santa Lucija.

According to the report, the victim was in St Paul’s Bay with his current girlfriend when he noticed his ex-partner in a car behind him.

The accused was not driving the vehicle. She suddenly exited the car, walked straight towards the victim’s vehicle, and began insulting him and his girlfriend.

The court heard that she then opened his car door, told him "you’re just like your father", struck him in the leg, and snapped his necklace.

The victim also alleged to the police that she threw a stone at him, though it did not hit him.

The woman was arrested at her home, and during her police interrogation, she exercised her right to silence.

The victim took the stand and testified that he wished to drop all charges against his former partner. He said that he was withdrawing the case due to their son, noting that the young boy needs his mother.

Magistrate Nadia Helena Vella accepted the victim's request and ordered that the case be dropped.

Inspector Christian Cauchi prosecuted. Lawyer Anthea Zammit and legal procurator Paul Camilleri represented the accused, while lawyers Franco Debono and Eman Scicluna appeared for the victim