Man denied bail after butter knife attack

A 52-year-old Greek citizen, resident in Sliema, has been remanded in custody after he was charged with slightly injuring his wife with a butter knife.

The man was arrested following an incident last Tuesday, in which he allegedly struck his wife with the spreading implement following an argument. The woman suffered slight injuries in the ensuing physical confrontation, as did the accused.

Arraigned before magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, the man pleaded not guilty to a number of charges, which included causing his wife to fear that violence was about to be used against her, attempted violent indecent assault, slightly injuring the woman and threatening her and her daughter.

The woman became emotional when defence lawyer Tonio Azzopardi requested bail, pointing out the fact that the accused was presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Lawyer Mario Mifsud, parte civile, requested the court order that the accused does not approach his client, who, he said, was afraid of him.

The court, however, turned down the request for bail.

Inspector Nicholas Vella prosecuted.