Charged with threatening ex-girlfriend

A 39-year-old man was yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to holding his former girlfriend against her will in what police described as an "obsession that might get out of hand".

Magistrate Michael Mallia heard Massimo Tivisini deny holding Eleonora Camilleri against her will, threatening to use violence against her, breaching the public peace, committing a crime within the operative period of a suspended sentence, breaching a protection order and relapsing.

Police Inspector Anthony Cachia told the court this was the third time he had received such a complaint about Mr Tivisini and the fact that he had ignored three previous decisions handed down by the court was worrying. Mr Cachia also told the court that it seemed that Mr Tivisini's obsession with Ms Camilleri might get out of hand. Lawyer Andy Ellul, appearing in parte civile, told the court that after being put on probation, given a suspended sentence, breaching a protection order and having Mr Tivisini's own probation officer denouncing him it was time that action was taken.

Before remanding him in custody, the court said it seems as though Mr Tavisini wants to ignore court orders especially by contacting the main witness in the cases against him, namely his former girlfriend.