A man charged with trying to kill his wife was again in court yesterday accused of phoning journalist Julia Farrugia and threatening to kill her brother who was dating his estranged wife.

Ms Farrugia, editor of the newspaper Illum, testified that Eleno Cassar 43, of Birkirkara, had phoned her twice at her office on August 4 and made the death threats against her brother Joseph. He also insisted that Mr Farrugia would not see the woman again.

Mr Cassar, who is under psychiatric care and on remand, stands accused of the attempted murder of his estranged wife Charmaine, 41, and causing serious injury to her 66-year-old mother, Therese Busuttil, with a penknife on May 5.

He is pleading not guilty to threatening Mr Farrugia.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit ordered him not to speak to any of the witnesses in the case, warning him that if he did there would be serious consequences.

Once the sitting was over and Mr Cassar was being escorted out of the court room in handcuffs, he looked at Mr Farrugia and, gesturing, told him to watch out and be careful.

Ms Farrugia and her lawyers informed Police Inspector Anthony Portelli about this. The officer in turn informed the magistrate who summoned Mr Cassar back to the courtroom where she warned him once again of the very serious consequences of his actions.

She insisted he should not speak to any witnesses or to any of Mr Farrugia’s family members.

Judgment was put off to January 10.

Lawyer Edward Gatt appeared for Mr Cassar.

Lawyers Charmaine Cherrett and Franco Debono appeared in parte civile.