The former partner of Yana Bland Mintoff was today remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to holding the woman against her will slightly injuring her and her son, Daniel Mainwaring, 32, harassing the woman and threatening her.
Ghoerghe Popa, 38, born in Constanta, Romania, was also charged with being in possession of a weapon.
The court heard that Mr Popa was on October 24 at around 9pm involved in a violent incident with his ex-partner inside their residence in Tarxien in the presence of her son and other third parties.
Before duty Magistrate Gabriella Vella, prosecuting officer Spiridione Zammit explained how on the night in question the police had been alerted to the house where a violent episode was unfolding. Arriving on site, they found the accused suffering from stab wounds. Ms Bland and her son were also injured.
Lawyer Joe Giglio, appearing parte civile, pointed out that from the statement released by the accused it transpired that the man was feeling 'annoyed' because his partner wanted to terminate the relationship and he had a suspicion that another man was involved.
The magisterial inquiry established that the accused had, after allegedly stabbing the victim, gone up a tree and turned the knife upon himself in an act of desperation. He also allegedly set the house on fire since he realised that he had lost everything.
The prosecution informed the court that an arrest warrant had been issued by the inquiring magistrate and that a medical certificate had declared the man to be fit for interrogation.
The defence pointed out that the self-inflicted nature of the stab wounds on the accused was yet to be established. Moreover the court was told that after the incident the accused could not recall anything about what he had done on the fateful night.
Standing in the dock in grey tracksuit pants, a short-sleeved t-shirt and grey bed slippers, the accused, assisted by an interpreter, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The request for bail was rejected by the court on the basis that the address given by the accused referred to his ex-partner's house.
Benjamin Valenzia was defence lawyer.