A 41-year-old man from Floriana has been arraigned in court charged with causing his partner a cut above the eye in a domestic violence incident.

Matthew Piscopo, who is unemployed, was charged with causing the woman grievous injuries, threatening and assaulting her and relapsing. He pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting officer Daryl Borg told Magistrate Aaron Bugeja that the woman had already reported him for slightly injuring her but had subsequently forgiven him.

He objected to the accused being granted bail, pointing out that the injury he had caused her was of a grievous nature and that he was a repeat offender. Moreover, the inspector continued, the victim - right up until Monday - used to live together with the accused. The accused also knew the location of her Valletta workplace and could easily track her down.

Legal aid lawyer Patrick Valentino argued that, according to the medical report, the victim had suffered a five millimetre laceration above the eye which did not require any stitches. The injury could therefore not be classed as grievous, he said.

The doctor who issued the medical certificate lacked the competence to the determine the legal nature of the offence, the lawyer continued.

"Is it justified for my client to remain in prison over a 5mm cut?"

Magistrate Bugeja granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000. The court also issued a protection order in favour of the woman. The accused was warned not to contact or molest her in any way.