Eleno Cassar 43, of Birkirkara was charged in court today with threatening journalist Julia Farrugia, warning her that he would kill her brother because he was dating his estranged wife.

Ms Farrugia said that Mr Cassar  had phoned her twice at her office and made the death threats against her brother Joseph on August 4.

He also insisted that Mr Farrugia does not see his estranged wife again.

Mr Cassar is currently under psychiatric care and on remand after having been 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 at Mrs Busuttil’s home on May 5.

He has denied making the threats.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit ordered him not to speak to any of the witnesses of the case because once he did there would be serious consequences.

Despite this warning, once the sitting was over and Mr Cassar was led out of the court room in handcuffs, he gestured to Mr Farrugia and told him to watch out and be careful after which Ms Farrugia and her lawyers informed Police Inspector Anthony Portelli.

He was then given a fresh warning by the court.  Judgment was put off to January 10.