Ex-couple renounce charges against each other after breaching protection orders

A couple has dropped charges against each other after being separately arraigned in relation to a breach of protection orders imposed in favour of each other.

A 35-year-old man from Siggiewi was charged with breaching a protection order, making threats or insults via electronic devices, breaching previously imposed bail conditions and recividism. The woman was also charged in relation to the incident, charged with a breach of bail and a protection order.

In her police report, the woman claimed that the man had messaged her asking to clarify things about a previous argument, in breach of a protection order. The court was told that no threats or insults were made in the message.

The man was arrested and interrogated. However during police questioning, it was revealed that the woman had actually initiated contact by sending him a Facebook friend request first and had even reacted to the man’s message, contrary to her initial report.

However, on Tuesday, the pair formally renounced the charges against each other, with the court granting their request.

Inspector Audrey Micallef prosecuted the case.

Defence lawyers Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit appeared for the man while lawyer Yanica Barbara Sant represented the woman.

Magistrate Nadia-Helena Vella presided over the proceedings.