A man who allegedly stopped his partner from testifying in criminal proceedings in his regard earlier in the week has been granted bail after facing domestic violence charges on Thursday.
The 47-year-old unemployed man, residing at St Paul’s Bay, was arrested and taken to court after his partner and mother of two minor children, currently living separately from the man, filed a report about the alleged abuse.
The whole incident kicked off on Monday when the man allegedly restrained the woman, blocking her from testifying in criminal proceedings in his regard before the district court.
Matters appeared to have escalated on Tuesday when an argument broke out between the two, wherein the woman allegedly suffered slight injuries.
“I want to stop this case, but I don’t want him to come near my apartment,” the alleged victim declared in open court, when making an appearance at Thursday’s arraignment. “We have kids together and he suffers from diabetes,” the woman continued.
Yet although declaring she wanted to withdraw her complaint, the court, presided over by magistrate Charmaine Galea, observed that certain charges could not be withdrawn since they were prosecutable irrespective of the victim’s complaint.
The man pleaded not guilty to holding the woman against her will on Monday, and suborned a witness by using threats or force.
A request for bail was not objected to by the prosecution in the light of the circumstances and so long as adequate measures were imposed by the court.
After hearing submissions by both parties, the court granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000 and an order to sign the bail book twice a week.
“Today she chose not to testify but tomorrow she might change her mind. Be very careful,” warned the magistrate.
Turning to the alleged victim, the magistrate said: “If he speaks to you about this case go and file a report with the police because that would breach bail conditions.”
The court ordered a ban on the names of both parties.
Inspector Godwin Scerri prosecuted. Lawyers Matthew Brincat, Arthur Azzopardi and Rene Darmanin were defence counsel.