A man this afternoon denied accessing the email account of his estranged wife, downloading documents and data and filing false reports with the police, accusing her and other people of committing crimes. 

The man, 51, who lives in Sliema and works as a document management officer, pleaded not guilty to 12 charges brought against him.

He was accused of filing false police reports, creating traces of a crime when he knew it was not true, stealing documents, downloading and copying data without authorisation, accessing his ex-wife's email account using her password without authorisation, accusing people of committing crimes when he knew they were innocent, harassing and threatening his estranged wife and threatening the police. 

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli ordered a ban on the publication of the name of the accused as well as that of his former wife to protect her identity. 

She also upheld a request by the prosecution and defence for the appointment of a psychiatrist to examine the man's mental health. 

The man was granted bail against a €3,000 personal guarantee and was ordered to stay away from witnesses and sign the bail book once a week.

The court also issued a protection order in favour of the woman.