Man accused of trying to kill girlfriend, on Valentine's Day

A man was accused in court today of the attempted murder of his girlfriend by trying to choke her with a telephone cord.

Stephen Vella, 34 of Qormi was accused of the attempted murder of Sandra Lee Camenzuli at her apartment in St Julian's yesterday.

He was also accused of slightly injuring her, damaging her property, threatening her, and committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended jail term.

It is being alleged that the woman broke up with the accused and turned down his attempts to get back together. He then allegedly attacked her. She managed to get away when he allegedly tried to strangle her.

Mr Vella pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona granted bail to the accused but warned him that if he breached bail conditions he would be jailed for six months, plus the two years suspended in a previous sentence. Bail was granted against a personal deposit of €1,000 and guarantee of €5,000.

The court also placed Ms Camenzuli under a protection order.

Drs Jose' Herrera and Veronique Dalli are defence counsel.