A man was denied bail after pleading not guilty to raping and beating his former partner on several occasions spanning a number of years.

Ahmad Abu Hassan, a 56-year old Syrian baker, residing at Cospicua, was arraigned on Friday over charges of raping, insulting and threatening his victim, causing her to fear violence.

The man was also charged with committing the acts during the operative term of a suspended sentence as well as with being a relapser.

Sources said that when the two broke up, the accused kept  turning up at the woman's home insisting on having sex. When she refused, he became aggressive and forced himself upon her. The last violent incident occurred on April 1.

Defence lawyer Joseph Brincat pointed out that the alleged victim had been phoning the accused several times over the past four years, inviting him over to her home.

The man denied the charges and requested bail.

However, the request was objected to by prosecuting Inspectors Trevor Micallef and Roxanne Tabone.

After hearing submissions by both parties, the court, presided over by magistrate Gabriella Vella, turned down the request in view of the gravity of the charges and the fact that the alleged victim was still to testify.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Alfred Abela appeared parte civile.