Argument over child's health lands man in the dock

A man from Marsascala has been released on bail on condition that he only communicates with his estranged wife through SMS, after being arraigned on domestic violence charges.

The 46-year-old was arraigned before magistrate Doreen Clarke by inspector Joanna Piscopo, accused of attacking his wife, insulting her and causing her to fear violence would be used against her.

The couple had argued yesterday when he had gone to her residence to see their six-year-old daughter, who was sick. After seeing their daughter’s condition, he knocked on his wife’s bedroom door to ask her to take the child to the doctor or hospital, but she refused to open.

An argument erupted, and the woman reported to the police that she had been assaulted by the man.

Defence lawyers Alfred Abela and Albert Libreri told the court that the man and his Belarussian wife had been undergoing separation proceedings through the Family Court for over three years. “In these three years, [the woman had filed] not one application for access. In three years, this woman has not made any effort to see her children,” the lawyers explained.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke granted bail, on condition that he doesn’t communicate with the woman unless authorised by the Family Court, as required to care for his minor children and then only through SMS. Bail was secured by a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €3,000.