An emotional 51-year-old man was yesterday acquitted of a number of domestic violence charges when a magistrate ruled his estranged wife’s reports were unfounded, ending a case that has been going on for five years.

Anthony Pisani of Marsascala was acquitted after his wife Mary Rose and his two daughters Annrina and Marisabelle, whom the magistrate said were persuaded by their mother to testify against him, painted a picture of a violent man when they testified.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera said that while, judging by the way he testified, Mr Pisani did not seem like a calm and likeable person, his wife was not a trustworthy person. In fact, on the witness stand she was “arrogant” and tried to embellish her testimony, the magistrate said.

Ms Pisani had her own hidden agenda, the magistrate added.

On the other hand, the evidence given by her children stood in stark contrast to their mother’s embellished testimony.

Mr Pisani, who was on the verge of crying, said he could not even find proper work because of the court case, adding he had spent three weeks under preventative custody when he was first arraigned some five years ago.

His wife had filed a number of reports about him ranging from threatening to kill her, holding a knife against her throat and walking around the house stark naked in front their daughters.

She also accused him of hitting their daughter and threatening to blow up their flat. She said once he allowed gas to escape from the oven in an attempt to carry out his threat.

Testifying, Mr Pisani, a three time LifeCycle challenger, categorically denied the charges and said the allegation he had left the gas on was unfounded because if he really wanted to kill them that way he would not have remained in the building.

In handing down judgment, Magistrate Scerri Herrera urged the police to treat such cases more seriously and conduct a more profound investigation before carrying on with proceedings.

Police Inspector Anthony Cassar prosecuted.

Lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared for Mr Pisani.

Lawyers Errol Cutajar and Astrid May Falzon appeared for the wife.

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