An alleged victim of an abusive relationship insisted in court on Friday that she still wanted to live with the man who had punched her in the face.

The woman's Egyptian husband was arrested and charged with slightly injuring his wife, causing her to fear violence.

Wearing a large pair of sunglasses as she attended his arraignment, the woman looked on as Inspector Eman Hayman explained, before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, how she was dealt a blow during an argument.

The man insisted he had been acting in self-defence since his wife had been throwing things at him.

The police were alerted to the abuse by hospital staff who had tended to the woman when she turned up for treatment.

Legal aid lawyer Victor Bugeja, who registered a 'not guilty' plea on behalf of his client, made a request for bail, pointing out that it had been the accused who had first made contact with the police.

After hearing the alleged victim declare that she still wanted to live with her husband, the magistrate observed that before the hearing the couple had been noticed hugging and exchanging signs of affection in the courtroom.

In light of such circumstances, the court granted bail against a deposit of €300 and a personal guarantee of €3,700, further issuing a protection order in favour of the wife prohibiting the accused from molesting her in any way.

“You can’t do this to your wife. Ever. But now you’ll also be breaching a court order and face prison and a fine,” the magistrate warned the man, before turning to his wife and urging her to take steps to protect herself.

The court upheld a request for a ban on the publication of the names of the parties.

Inspector Eman Hayman prosecuted.