A man promised at the Ħamrun police station that he would cause no further trouble after neighbours reported his behaviour, but just a few hours later he allegedly hit his ex-partner's brother with a chisel. 

Bernard Pisani, 41, a Ħamrun toolmaker, had allegedly been calling his estranged partner all day long, sending her threatening messages, allegedly reading “Where are you? I’ll kill you” and more of the same.

At one point, he had even allegedly turned up at the woman’s residence, banging on her door and prompting neighbours to alert the police. 

The simmering dispute escalated on Sunday evening at an establishment along the Sliema seafront where the man came across the woman – who is the mother of his minor daughter – and her brother. 

An argument broke out between the couple, prompting the woman’s brother to intervene. In the ensuing scuffle, the latter ended up suffering grievous injuries after being hit with a chisel.

The alleged aggressor was arrested and marched to court on Monday afternoon. The man, also bearing a visible cut on his head, pleaded not guilty before his defence lawyers, requested the court to appoint a medical expert to examine their client so as to determine the nature and cause of all wounds suffered by him and the treatment required.

The same expert was also to check the alleged victims so as to determine whether any of the three had been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.

Duty magistrate Aaron Bugeja upheld these requests and also appointed a technical expert to retrieve all data relative to calls allegedly exchanged between the accused and his ex on Saturday and Sunday, including localisation data and CCTV footage of the incident.

After hearing submissions by both parties regarding the issue of bail, the court upheld the request against a third party guarantee for €10,000, an order to sign the bail book twice a week and a strict order not to set foot in Ħamrun, where the woman resides.

“This man is showing great trust and respect towards you. Should you fail, he’ll suffer,” he magistrate warned, referring to the third party who had confirmed his undertaking on oath.

The court also issued a Protection Order strongly prohibiting the man from approaching his alleged victims in any manner whatsoever.

Inspector Jonathan Ransley prosecuted. Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Alfred Abela were defence counsel. Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili appeared parte civile.