A man was yesterday granted bail and ordered to stay away from Birkirkara after pleading not guilty to threatening to kill a nine-year-old boy who had tried to protect his mother from him.

On Monday, Emmanuel Pace, 42, allegedly had an argument in Birkirkara with the boy's mother whom he had been living with for some time. The court heard the police prosecuting officer say the boy jumped in the way in a bid to help his mother but Mr Pace pushed him out of the way, took hold of him and threatened to kill him.

Mr Pace also stands charged with slightly injuring the boy's mother, threatening to use violence against her and possessing a weapon without a licence.

In granting bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000, Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona took into consideration the fact that Mr Pace will now be living at another residence in Sta Venera.

Police Inspector Elton Taliana prosecuted.

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