A man, out on bail for threatening his ex-girlfriend in January, has been remanded in custody after allegedly repeating similar offences on Sunday.

Tyson Bugeja, a 23-year old Marsa resident, was arrested after allegedly breaching the terms of a Protection Order and previous bail conditions, following a police report filed by the woman’s mother in the wake of a phone call from her terrified daughter.

The man, who had allegedly smashed his former partner's car windscreen in an earlier episode of violence, apparently ignored a court order barring him from approaching the woman when he allegedly turned up on her verandah, angry and armed with a knife.

During the arraignment on Monday, the man pleaded not guilty.

A request for bail by his defence counsel was met with strong objections by the prosecution, led by Inspector Eman Hayman who pointed out that the accused had ignored earlier court orders, landing himself back in the same situation.

“This was not an attack on the woman outside her property, now it is inside her property. He has been given several chances,” the inspector stressed, pointing out that the charges indicated previous incidents between the former couple and that the situation had escalated to the extent that the latest episode had allegedly taken place at the woman’s home.

The man “does not want to leave her alone,” the inspector said.

Defence counsel Rene Darmanin, assisting the accused together with Arthur Azzopardi, rebutted that at this stage there were mere allegations against the man.

“We have evidence of who made contact with whom and what photographs were sent. The accused had no problem with keeping out of the woman’s hometown,” Dr Darmanin argued.

However, the prosecution pointed out that the incident could easily repeat itself and besides, the alleged victim was still to testify.

Upon these submissions, the court, presided over by magistrate Aaron Bugeja, turned down the request for bail, pointing out, however, that the woman would face a possible jail term if it emerged that she had made a false report.

Upon agreement between the parties, the court recommended that the accused be detained in the juvenile section of prison.

Lawyer Mario Mifsud appeared parte civile.