Man given probation after climbing ex-partner’s balcony and sending threats
The court calls for better protection order structure
A 43-year-old man was placed under a probation order after pleading guilty to causing fear to his ex-partner by jumping onto her balcony.
The man was arraigned on Tuesday morning, where he was also accused of using electronic equipment to insult and threaten the woman.
Police inspector Christian Cauchi told the court that on April 6 around 3.30am, the Siġġiewi district police were called to the woman's residence due to a domestic violence argument.
He said that after the man was no longer welcome at her home, he entered the common area of an apartment block and jumped onto the woman's balcony.
The woman told police that the man had lent her the key to a vehicle he had bought for her and wanted the key returned. He also sent her insulting messages.
Police found that the man had nine weapons registered in his name.
The man was arrested on Monday at his Ħal Qormi home.
Drug problem and anger issues
In court, before duty magistrate Kevan Azzopardi, the man admitted to the charges brought against him.
During submissions on punishment, police inspector Christian Cauchi referred to the charges and said that, according to the victim, the man has a cocaine problem.
However, in his statement to the police, the man acknowledged he occasionally consumes cocaine but had no drug addiction issues. Cauchi said the man also has an anger management problem.
The prosecution requested a probation order, a treatment order and a restraining order.
The court said the “time is ripe” for a structure which would cater for situations where a protection or restraining order is issued against one of the parents and in favour of the other.
Such a structure would allow the parent to see their child without coming into contact with the other parent.
Defence lawyer Rachel Tua said her client denied having any cocaine or anger management issues and argued there was no need for a treatment order.
The lawyer requested a conditional discharge for her client.
After hearing the submissions, the court handed the man a two-year probation order and fined him €250.
It also issued a two-year restraining order in favour of the woman and obliged the man to bind himself against €1,000 that he would keep the peace with the woman.
“This probation order, which will not go down on your criminal record, will help you understand what went wrong,” Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi told the accused.