A heated phone call between a woman's current partner and her ex spilled over into a violent armed confrontation in Ħamrun, a court heard on Friday.

James Tabone, a 35-year old living in Ħamrun, allegedly grew furious after hearing that his ex's current partner had wreaked havoc at the St Paul's Bay apartment they lived in along with Mr Tabone's two children. 

Adamant that his children should never again witness such violent scenes, Mr Tabone had allegedly spoken his mind during a telephone call which soon escalated into a heated argument.

Intending to continue where they left off, the two men faced each other in Ħamrun on Thursday at around noon, when the other man turned up outside Mr Tabone’s home, allegedly armed with a metal rod.

The two men came to blows, with Mr Tabone alleged to have injured the other man with a knife he had been hiding inside his sweater. 

Police arrested Mr Tabone and marched him to the Ħamrun police station, where he allegedly threatened to kill his ex’s partner once he got out.

Mr Tabone's lawyer told the court that Mr Tabone had been a victim in the incident, as they pointed to their client, who sported two white plasters on his bald head. 

Lawyer Dean Hili told the court that Mr Tabone had just wanted to protect his children from the man, who had responded by driving all the way from St Paul's Bay to Ħamrun, armed with a metal rod, to confront him. 

The alleged victim is also expected to face criminal proceedings, sources told Times of Malta.

After pleading not guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm, slight injuries, insults and threats, the unlicensed possession of a knife and breach of public peace, Mr Tabone was remanded in custody.

In view of the circumstances of the case and the fact that civilian witnesses were still to testify, presiding magistrate Francesco Depasquale turned down a request for bail.

Inspector Elliott Magro prosecuted.