A 39-year-old man from Żabbar has been remanded in custody after being charged with brandishing a large kitchen knife and threatening to slit his daughter's throat in a drunken frenzy.

The man, born in Libya but living in Malta since 1993, was charged with harassing his Maltese wife, causing her to fear that he would hurt their daughter and breaching public peace.

He was also charged with carrying a knife, using vulgar language and being drunk in public.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges brought before him.

Prosecuting officer Josric Mifsud told Magistrate Audrey Demicoli that the police had received a report from his terrified wife, who told them that he had taken to the streets with a kitchen knife, searching for their 18-year-old daughter and threatening to slit her throat. The daughter was not present at the time of the incident. He was also very intoxicated.

Insp. Mifsud objected to bail being granted, arguing that the case was serious since the accused had threatened his own family. His alcohol problem also made him very unreliable as he could easily spiral out of control.

The accused was remanded in custody and the court recommended that he is put on an alcohol treatment programme.

Lawyer Daniel Buttigieg appeared for the accused.