342 jailed for refusing maintenance to ex-spouses, children

342 people have been imprisoned since 2012 for refusing to provide maintenance to their spouses or children after passing through a separation.

Justice minister Owen Bonnici told Labour MP Etienne Grech in reply to a parliamentary question that their prison sentences typically ranged from one week to three months.

The exceptions were for the few relapsers who were sentenced to up to six months in prison.

In total, 3,075 people were charged with failing to provide maintenance to their ex-spouses and children between 2012 and May of this year.