Domestic violence charge

Two men appeared in court yesterday, one charged with injuring his wife when he punched and kicked her during an argument at home and the other with assaulting his partner.

A 44-year-old man from Floriana pleaded not guilty to charges of threatening, assaulting and slightly injuring his wife when he hit and kicked her on Tuesday.

He was also charged with trying to seriously injure the woman, causing her to fear him, harassing her and damaging her car. In the second case, a 53-year-old Ħamrun man was charged with assaulting his partner on Saturday at their home.

The man pleaded not guilty to the charges that included threatening the woman, harassing her and causing her to fear him on Tuesday.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli ordered both men not to approach the women. They will be living in alternative residences.

The 44-year-old was granted bail against a €500 deposit and a personal guarantee of €4,000. The other man was also granted bail but, after hearing that he had a similar pending case, the magistrate ordered him not to leave his home without the court's permission. She also bound him against a personal guarantee of €3,000.Names are not being published to protect the identities of the women.

Police Inspector James Grech prosecuted. Lawyers Kris Busietta, José Herrera and Veronique Dalli were defence counsel.