Man denies stalking ex girlfriend

A 30-year-old man was yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to breaching bail conditions when he allegedly stalked his former girlfriend.

Stephen Portelli, 30, of Tarxien also denied threatening to use violence against his former girlfriend, Chantelle Bianco.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, heard how earlier this year, a fight broke out between Mr Portelli and his father on one side and Ms Bianco and her brother in Żejtun.

Court proceedings in connection with the fight are still in progress and Mr Portelli was granted bail.

Taking the witness stand, Ms Bianco said that for the past few weeks, Mr Portelli had been following her wherever she went.

Last week, she said she went into a shop in Marsascala and while still in her car and on her mobile phone, Mr Portelli came close and snatched the phone from her.

He then followed her as she drove to Żejtun. At one point, he threw the phone back at her, crying and telling her he loved her and wanted them to get back together.

The accused had also gone near her mother's and grandmother's house and followed her into the ladies' toilet in a bar in Paceville.

Recounting a recent incident, she said that while in Footloose Bar in Paceville, he pushed her against a cigarette vending machine and threatened a friend of hers.

She left the bar promptly and went to another bar where, this time, he pushed her against the bar and security personnel had to intervene, throwing both Mr Portelli and her friend out.

Defence lawyer Marion Camilleri asked Ms Bianco to confirm that after an argument with her mother, she had gone to stay with Mr Portelli and they had also gone swimming together. Ms Bianco denied having contacted Mr Portelli.

Asked if she had made any calls from her mobile to his mobile, she said the calls indicated on the telephone sets were made by Mr Portelli when he had taken her mobile in order to give the impression she had called him.

Police Inspector Arthur Mercieca prosecuted.

Lawyer Franco Debono appeared together with Dr Camilleri for Mr Portelli, while lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared in parte civile.