A man accused of slashing his wife with a knife yesterday walked free from court after a magistrate ruled that the evidence produced by the prosecution was just “hearsay”.

The 62-year-old man, whose name cannot be published by court order, had been arraigned in the wake of a domestic violence incident at the couple’s residence on August 26. It emerged in court that an argument had broken out while the couple were discussing the possibility of initiating separation proceedings. Police Inspector Christabelle Chetcuti, prosecuting, said that at one point, the accused threatened the woman with a kitchen knife and, in the process, allegedly hit her on the hand.

The victim had told the police that, two months before, her husband had allegedly placed a knife against her neck in the presence of two of their three children. However, no police report was filed.

In its judgment, the court said though the incident had effectively taken place all it was presented with was “hearsay evidence”, which had no weight.

The court noted that all other witnesses – the wife and their three children – had declined to testify.

In view of this, Magistrate Doreen Clarke acquitted the man.

Lawyers Shazoo Ghaznavi, Charlon Gouder, Joseph Gerada and Mark Vassallo appeared for the accused.

Lawyer Abigail Critien appeared parte civile for the woman.