An Egyptian man was found hidden in a cupboard when the police acted on a report of domestic violence, a magistrate heard yesterday.

Sherif el Shennawyh, 49, pleaded not guilty to beating his wife at around 2.30am on Wednesday at the couple’s residence in Paola.

Police Inspector Spiridione Zammit told Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit the woman was so scared of her husband that she went to the police station for protection.

He also said that the man sustained some injuries when his wife pushed him while he had his hands wrapped around her neck.

Inspector Zammit explained the accused was on bail pending proceedings over an expired ID card.

Defence lawyer George Buttigieg requested bail for his client, arguing that the woman’s injuries were certified as “slight, possibly grievous” and his client had never been charged with domestic violence.

But lawyer Rachel Tua, ap-pearing parte civile for the alleged victim said fear of further beatings had stopped the woman from reporting previous incidents. “When will she be protected, when he kills her?”

The magistrate upheld these arguments and turned down the request for bail.