Accused of trying to kill his wife

A Libyan national was yesterday charged with trying to kill his Maltese wife when he beat her up and seriously injured her.

The 42-year-old man pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his wife, injuring her, causing her to fear him and harassment on Tuesday.

The man was denied bail after Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia, prosecuting, argued that there was the risk he would leave the island or commit the same sort of crime. The inspector exhibited a civil court ruling banning the accused from approaching his wife's house and noted that he had not abided by the ruling. He also noted that the woman was still in hospital.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli ordered that the man be kept in police custody until his wife testified.

The name of the accused is not being published to protect the woman's identity.

Lawyer Mark Busuttil was defence counsel.

Lawyers Vincent Micallef and Andy Ellul represented the wife.