A witness was fined €500 for contempt of court today after having been warned repeatedly by a magistrate about the way he addressed the court.

Khaled Mohammed Baara, a Libyan, was in court testifying against his former partner Alexia Bonnici, 31 of Safi, who was charged with harassing him.

He alleged in court that Ms Bonnici had told the Immigration Appeals Board that he was not paying maintenance for their son.

As he gave testimony, Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona asked him twice to give details, but the witness continued to speak on other matters.

The magistrate warned him to answer the questions and not deviate as he would be in contempt of court.

The accused answered back in a raised voice. He said he had gone to court for justice and the magistrate could jail him if he wanted to.

The magistrate ordered him to leave the court room. As he was being escorted out, he stopped near the dock, pointed at the former partner and said that he had gone for justice and ended up being up being the one to be punished.

The magistrate then declared that he was finding him in contempt for the second time. He fined him €500 and ordered that Ms Bonnici should be given protection as she left the courtroom.

Ms Bonnici was later acquitted.