The Family Court ordered the separation of a couple after hearing that the husband used to beat his wife and disallow the children from consuming electricity and water because he was paying for them.

The woman, who cannot be named by court order, filed an application for separation claiming that her husband, who also cannot be named by court order, had severely mistreated her and their children throughout their marriage.

The court heard that the couple had been married in 1979 and their marriage was no longer possible because of adultery, excesses and insults.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Joseph Azzopardi, described the affidavits given by the woman and her children as "horror reading" given the husband's excessive behaviour.

Mr Justice Azzopardi heard that the husband would not allow the family use the lights or water because, in his own words, "he used to pay for them". The husband had kicked the son out of the family home, forcing him to live on his own and, eventually, when his wife could not take the abuse any more, she had to "seek refuge" and live with her son.

The court also heard that the husband had a relationship with an illegal immigrant and had this woman move into the family home.

Mr Justice Azzopardi took into consideration a previous ruling where a court had ordered the husband to leave the family home as it was not fair that the family members would live in discomfort while the father lived in the house.

The court ordered the separation of the couple, ordered the family house to be sold and the money equally distributed and also ordered the husband to pay €125 (Lm53.64) a month in maintenance to his wife.