Marsascala man assaulted partner, held her and toddler captive for hours
Prosecutors say the woman was assaulted after her partner claimed she was seeing someone else
A woman was assaulted and subjected to violent abuse by her partner as she and her toddler son were held captive for hours in their own home, a court heard on Wednesday.
The harrowing incident was described during the arraignment of a 37-year-old furniture mover, who pleaded not guilty to domestic violence, illegal detention and causing his partner to fear violence would be used against her.
Prosecutors said the incident happened last Monday when the accused phoned his partner at work and accused her of infidelity. He also demanded that she prove where she was through a video call.
The woman was assaulted when she returned home, in the presence of the three-year-old.
She was prevented from leaving until 1am, and the accused took her phone, keys, ID card and credit cards.
Prosecutors said that the woman was beaten up for several hours as she denied having a lover, despite her partner's insistence that she confess.
The accused allegedly used scissors and a wire, tried to strangle her and cut pieces of her hair.
When police arrived at the scene, having forced entry, the accused urged the woman to tell the officers that there was nothing wrong. He then fled by jumping from a balcony.
Officers found him hiding in a cupboard at his mother’s house. Relatives had told the officers he was not there.
The accused had been out under a three-year suspended sentence in 2022, a probation order in 2025, and bail conditions in February this year.
He was remanded in custody and the court issued a protection order in favour of the victim.
Lawyer Yanica Barbara was defence counsel.