A court heard yesterday how a man allegedly assaulted his wife after she refused to assist his mother who was about to be taken to hospital.

John Caruana 39, of Siġġiewi pleaded not guilty to the charge as well as to threatening his wife and slightly injuring her on Saturday between 4 and 5 p.m. Magistrate Edwina Grima heard Police Inspector Tony Cachia say that this seemed to be an isolated incident.

However, on speaking to Mrs Caruana he was told that there had been a similar, albeit less serious incident some months back. This was the first time, she said, that it had escalated to such a degree.

Lawyer Vince Micallef told the court that it was a small argument that had been blown out of proportion, after Mrs Caruana refused to help her husband's mother who was to be taken to hospital.

Magistrate Grima said that under no circumstances should violence be used. She granted the accused bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000 and warned him that remaining out of jail on bail was now solely up to him.

Lawyer Andy Ellul also appeared for Mr Caruana.