A man who got married to a woman while still married to his first wife appeared in court under summons on Wednesday to face criminal proceedings.

Danny David Doneo denied the accusations when he appeared before Magistrate Aaron Bugeja charged with falsifying a court decree, bigamy and perjury.

Inspector Scicluna told the court that in August 2002 the accused had remarried on the basis of his first marriage being annulled. 

However, the truth came to light 14 years later, when Mr Doneo applied to renew his passport. Then it was revealed that the court decree pronouncing the annulment had been forged.

This meant that the man had been living in a bigamous situation since his first marriage had never been annuled.

The man today pleaded not guilty to the forgery of the document, perjury and bigamy which, under Maltese law, is a crime punishable by imprisonment of up to four years.

The case continues in January.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi was defence counsel.