Man 'raped and tried to strangle wife'

A Libyan was yesterday remanded in custody after being charged with trying to strangle his wife with a rope and violently raping her during an argument at their home in Mellieha.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Joe Cassar, ordered a ban on the publication of the woman's name to protect her identity.

The police claim the 36-year-old Libyan tried to kill his wife by strangling her with a rope on the night of September 11. He was also charged with seriously injuring and raping her. The man pleaded not guilty.

Defence lawyers Giannella Caruana Curran and Manwel Mallia asked the court to grant their client bail, saying the alleged incident took place more than two months ago and that he has been free all this time. Prosecuting officer Josric Mifsud said the police had not charged the man earlier because he had left Malta after the incident and was arrested on his return. The court turned down the request for bail.