A Mount Carmel Hospital patient has been kept in custody after he allegedly assaulted a nurse, slightly injuring him.

The 37-year old from Ħamrun had apparently sought medical help at the hospital of his own free will and had been there for a few weeks before Monday's incident.

The man had also allegedly made threatening phone calls to his partner, prompting her to file a report of domestic violence.

The man is facing additional charges for having inflicted moral or psychological violence upon the woman, for having harassed and stalked her while causing her to fear violence. He was further charged with the misuse of electronic equipment, all during the operative period of a suspended sentence. He was also charged with relapsing.

Prosecuting inspector Roderick Spiteri also charged the man with having voluntarily damaged the nurse's spectacles.

The man pleaded not guilty but, in view of the circumstances of the case, no request for bail was made.

Duty magistrate Audrey Demicoli, upholding a request by legal aid counsel Charmaine Cherrett, recommended that the man was to be held at the Forensic Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital.