A Libyan man charged with the murder of his estranged wife attempted to commit suicide at the police depot shortly after his arrest, a court heard yesterday.

Police Constable Nathan Theuma was on fixed-watch duty with Nizar El Gadi when he suddenly realised that the man had tied the bed sheet around his neck and immediately called for assistance.

The details emerged during the sixth day of the jury trial of the 36-year-old, whose wife, Margaret Mifsud, was found dead in her car in Qalet Marku, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, on April 19, 2012. She had been strangled.

Just before this attempted suicide, PC Theuma said Mr El Gadi asked him if he could tell his children that he loved them dearly and that he had not hurt their mother.

He asked the constable to tell his children he loved them and had not hurt their mother

The officer told him he could not pass on the message and that he could tell them that in person the next time he saw them.

But after a 30-second bathroom visit, the officer came back and found Mr El Gadi standing on the bed looking out of the barred window. He realised that a bed sheet was tied around his neck and when he called for assistance, Mr El Gadi jumped off. However, the sheet was not able to take the man’s weight and ripped.

Police Sergeant Gordon Borg, who ran to the cell, recounted that Mr El Gadi said: “Just let me go near Margaret.”

He said Mr El Gadi was “very agitated” and was referred to Mount Carmel Hospital, where he spent six days.

The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi, continues tomorrow.

Philip Galea Farrugia and Giannella Busuttil from the Attorney General’s Office are leading the prosecution, while Martin Testaferrata Moroni Viani is representing the defendant.

Arthur Azzopardi and Kathleen Grima are appearing parte civile for the victim’s family.