A young man currently facing prosecution over anonymous messages and letters sent by way of a “love trick” to his unsuspecting partner was granted bail on Thursday afternoon after spending 10 days in preventive arrest.

Shaun Ray Belli, a 27-year old from Fgura, had been denied bail upon his arraignment.

He was charged with stalking, harassment, making a false statement and misuse of electronic communication equipment.

Prosecuting Inspector Jonathan Ransley had explained that the man’s partner, whose name was banned from publication under court order, had been receiving anonymous letters and messages in her mail box, prompting her to file a police report.

It later transpired that the sender had been the accused who had accompanied his partner to the police station when the report was filed.

The man’s lawyer, David Gatt, had requested bail, arguing that his client had been living with the victim up to the very day of his arrest and there had been no physical violence. His actions were simply a “love trick” intended to lure the woman to move in with him.

As the proceedings continued on Thursday, a fresh request for bail was upheld by the court, presided over by magistrate Monica Vella, against a deposit of €2,000, a personal guarantee of €10,000, a curfew, and an order to sign the bail book three times a week.

The accused was warned by the court not to communicate with the victim in any manner and nor to approach her home or place of work. A temporary protection order was issued in favour of the woman.

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