A man in the midst of separation proceedings was granted bail after he allegedly assaulted his wife following an argument over their daughter.

The court heard the incident took place on Thursday morning when the woman refused to discuss their child’s medical needs.

The 46-year old Marsascala father was arraigned under arrest on Friday morning.

Prosecuting inspector Joanna Piscopo told the court that the man had apparently visited his wife’s residence to check upon the couple’s six-year old daughter who was unwell.

In view of the child’s condition, the father had knocked on the woman’s door to discuss whether the girl ought to be taken to a doctor or to hospital. However, the woman initially refused to answer the door.

An argument ensued, and the woman, a Belarussian national, filed a police report alleging she had been assaulted by her estranged husband and that he had insulted and threatened her.

Defence lawyers Alfred Abela and Albert Libreri explained in court that the couple had been locked in separation proceedings before the Family Court for the past three years.

“In these three years, [the woman had filed] not one application for access. In three years, this woman has not made any effort to see her children,” the lawyers pointed out.

After hearing submissions on bail, the court, presided over by magistrate Doreen Clarke, upheld the request upon condition that the accused would only communicate with his wife through SMS, limitedly for the purpose of caring for their minor children, unless otherwise authorised by the Family Court.

The man was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €3,000.