Naxxar man who threatened wife with shotgun gets probation

A man from Naxxar has been placed on probation and ordered not to approach his wife, after he admitted to having threatened her with a shotgun during a domestic argument.

The 25-year-old appeared before magistrate Doreen Clarke this afternoon, accused of threatening his wife with a weapon, causing her to fear that violence would be used against her, attacking and slightly injuring her, insulting and threatening the woman. He was also charged with recidivism.

The incident occurred last Sunday, less than a day after the brutal murder of mother of eight, Caroline Magri, who died of multiple stab wounds in what may have been a domestic dispute. Police have detained a man, believed to be her partner, in connection with that case.

Few details of the events emerged in open court, the prosecution and defence having instead spent several minutes discussing the case with the magistrate in the privacy of her chambers before the sitting.

The accused, assisted by lawyer Michael Sciriha, pleaded guilty to the charges. The court placed the man on probation for two years and ordered to leave the matrimonial home until the Family Court concluded separation proceedings. The accused was ordered not to approach the family home or his wife. The shotgun was confiscated.

Inspector Roderick Spiteri prosecuted.