Man handed suspended sentence after admitting to slightly injuring his partner
The man fractured his arm when he smashed a stool upon learning of his arrest
A man was handed a suspended sentence Saturday after pleading guilty to slightly injuring his long-term partner.
The 45-year-old man appeared in court with his right arm in a cast, having fractured it when he hit and broke a stool after being informed of his arrest.
Police inspector Christian Cauchi told the court the man’s partner of 30 years called Cospicua police station asking for help, with commotion audible in the background.
Police went on site and the woman complained her partner has a “huge” drug issue, and that he had pointed an Airsoft rifle at her belonging to one of their sons. The couple have two children together.
During the altercation, the man threatened to throw her out of the house and warned her, “don’t come here [at their home] as I’ll beat you with a metal rod.”
The woman alleged he pressed her arm, causing her slight injuries.
The man pleaded guilty to causing his partner and mother to his children fear that violence would be used against her and threatening the woman.
The prosecution requested a suspended sentence due to the man admitting the charges at an early stage in the proceedings. Cauchi also requested a treatment order so the man could address his drug addiction problems as well as anger management issues.
Legal aid lawyer Silvan Pulis agreed with the prosecution on the suspended sentence. He said the man had not intended to hurt his partner, and this was a one-off incident.
“He understands the consequences of his actions and by placing him under a suspended sentence for a long time, it will keep him in check,” the lawyer said.
The defence asked for a ban on the names which was upheld by the court.
By his own admission, the man was found guilty and the court handed him a two-year jail term suspended for four years.
“If you commit a crime within these four years, there is a great probability that if you are found guilty you will have to serve these two years,” the magistrate warned him.
A three-year treatment order was also imposed on the accused.
The court did not recognise the prosecution’s request for a restraining order in favour of the victim after it transpired that the couple are still living together.
Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided.
Police inspector Christian Cauchi prosecuted.
Legal aid lawyer Silvan Pulis assisted the accused.