Pistol allegedly used in domestic dispute has not yet been found

A man who allegedly threatened his estranged wife with a pistol was warned by a magistrate yesterday that if he did anything of the sort while on bail he would be sent to prison.

The 56-year-old man from Żebbuġ pleaded not guilty to threatening his estranged wife with a pistol, being in illegal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol during the commission of a crime.

Police sources said the couple were separated but tension between them was still high. The gun allegedly used had not yet been found but given the very serious nature of the allegations the police had to proceed, sources said.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona told the accused that if he did not abide by the bail conditions he would end up in prison and be fined.

The accused was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €1,000.

Police Inspector Tony Cachia prosecuted.

Lawyer Peter Paul Zammit appeared for the accused.

Names are not being published to protect the woman’s identity.