Estranged partners fight over cats

Teodisio Baldacchino was today granted bail after pleading not guilty to using his car to ram the vehicle of his estranged partner, Ritienne Borg.

The two former partners argued over the number of cats Borg kept at Baldacchino's residence. As a result, Baldacchino was accused of ramming the woman's vehicle in retaliation, causing €1,300 in damages.

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt protested at the fact that Baldacchino was arraigned under arrest, hitting out at prosecuting Inspector Roderick Agius for objecting to grant bail due to the large number of cats the alleged victim keeps at the accused's residence.

Gatt claimed the accused wanted to end his relationship with Borg, and asked her clear out his flat on the day of the argument. The lawyer ridiculed the victim's claim of €1,300 in damages on a Fiat Uno which he said was worth less than €500.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri granted Baldacchino bail against a deposit of €700 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. The court also issued a protection order over victim Ritienne Borg and ordered the accused not to talk to her.