Joseph Agius, 34 of Zurrieq, was today condemned to a nine-month jail term suspended for two years after he admitted to holding his wife against her will, slightly injuring her, threatening and harassing her on Tuesday evening.

Police Inspector Kevin Pulis said the couple have three children, of whom one is a baby.

The pressures and tension which had been building following the birth of the baby led to this incident. The inspector said the prosecution was not seeking an effective jail term,  but the accused had to learn his lesson.

Both partners wanted to reconcile and wanted to go to counselling.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti put off the sitting for half an hour until Mrs Agius came to court to give evidence. She testified behind closed doors and the magistrate then handed down his judgement.

He also imposed a protection order banning the accused from speaking to his wife for the time being, until reconciliation begins.