A husband’s festering anger about his wife having cheated on him 10 years ago landed him in court on Friday, to face charges of seriously injuring his mother-in-law.

The 39-year old security guard, whose name cannot be disclosed under a court-imposed ban, got into a heated argument with his wife inside their St Julian’s home on Thursday evening.

During the row, which was allegedly provoked by the man’s lingering memories of his wife’s infidelity ten years ago, he had allegedly pulled his young daughter by the arm, causing her slight injuries.

The man subsequently followed his wife to her mother’s home, where he allegedly flung a framed painting at his mother-in-law, hitting her on the nose and causing her grievous injuries.

He was arraigned under arrest on Friday, pleading not guilty to having involuntarily caused grievous bodily harm to his wife’s mother, slight injuries to his own daughter as well as having threatened his wife, daughter and mother-in-law, causing them to fear violence.

Defence lawyer Matthew Bondin explained in court that the true version of events did not match that presented by the prosecution, pointing out that similar arguments in the past had always been settled peacefully.

Saying that no violence had been used by his client against his daughter and mother-in-law, Dr Bondin pointed out that the man had a clean criminal record and was willing to move out of the matrimonial home pending proceedings.

In the light of all circumstances, duty magistrate Gabriella Vella upheld a request for bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000, on condition that the man took up residence elsewhere.

The court further placed the man under a restraining order, warning him to steer clear of his wife, daughter and mother-in-law.

“I want to calm down matters and go back to the way we were,” the man remarked, in reply to the Magistrate’s warning.

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted.