Tensions ran high in court yesterday as policemen protected a female witness by surrounding a man who stands accused of attacking her in another courtroom last week.

James Demanuele, 36, was handcuffed and surrounded by six policemen moments before Maria Elena Felice, his former partner, took the witness stand to testify about the incident.

Mr Demanuele is facing charges of attacking Ms Felice and breaking her arm in full view of a magistrate during a court sitting last Tuesday.

And on that day she was testifying about another incident in yet another courtroom where he also allegedly threatened and tried to attack her.

As she left the witness stand and walked towards the door, Mr Demanuele jumped on her, slamming her against the floor and breaking her arm, she testified yesterday.

Breaking down in tears, she said that his behaviour has gone on long enough. Physical pain heals, she said, but she was mentally exhausted and it needed to stop.

She added that Mr Demanuele had even attacked their 11-year-old daughter with a knife.

Throughout the sitting, the accused tried to stand up and speak to his lawyer, which is his right. However, he was told by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit to sit down and speak to him from the dock, to avoid a repeat occurrence.

A number of officers who were in the courtroom at the time of Tuesday's incident gave similar details about what had happened, backing up Ms Felice's testimony.

The officers said the accused had shouted, "I will kill you, I will kill you", as he struggled with her on the floor and they tried to pull him off.

Defence lawyer Noel Bartolo, cross examining her, asked her if she had provoked the accused as she walked out. She denied the suggestion, saying she had not even looked at him.

The case continues.

Lawyer Nicole Grima appeared parte civile.