Two men were arraigned in court today for separate domestic violence cases and charged with threatening their respective, estranged wives.
The arraignment happened two days after the lifeless body of Eleanor Mangion Walker was found in a Qormi warehouse. The police are searching for her estranged husband, Andrew Mangion, whom they believe had a hand in the murder.
Police Inspector Matthew Spagnol charged a 48-year-old man from Swieqi with slightly injuring his wife, causing her to fear that violence would be used against her, threatening to kill her and assaulting her.
Magistrate Audrey Demicoli heard that the couple were undergoing separation proceedings.
The man pleaded not guilty to the charges and lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili entered a request for bail.
Insp. Spagnol said he had no objection as long as the accused did not reside in the same residence as the victim.
Dr Dalli informed the court that the man would be living at his father's residence and asked the court to allow him to retrieve his belongings from the matrimonial home under police escort.
The court upheld the request for bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €3,500. A protection order was issued in favour of the victim.
In a separate sitting, Insp. Spagnol charged a 48-year-old man from Pembroke with causing his estranged wife to fear that violence would be used against her, threatening to kill her and relapsing.
Dr Dalli, this time appearing as parte civile for the victim, told Magistrate Demicoli that the accused had threatened to "rip her face to pieces". He had also insisted with their 17-year-old daughter that he'd be using her as a witness, Dr Dalli added.
The accused and the victim were nearing the final stages of their separation proceedings, defence lawyer Michael Sciriha told the court.
He entered a request for bail, pointing out that the accused could live in the garage or in his fully licensed caravan.
The court granted bail and issued a protection order in favour of his wife and daughters, ordering him not to approach Pembroke. The accused will be living in his caravan. Bail was secured against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €3,500.