Lawyer denies threatening to kill wife

A 46-year-old lawyer today pleaded not guilty to charges of threatening to kill his estranged wife.

The man cannot be named by court order so as to protect their three children, one of whom is a minor.

Prosecuting officer Godwin Scerri told the court that, on June 16, the police received a report from the victim, who is currently undergoing separation proceedings from the accused.

The court heard that there were other instances of domestic violence cases before the family court but the threats had now escalated with the accused threatening to either kill the woman himself or contract others to do the job.

"The police takes such reports very seriously," Insp. Scerri told Magistrate Audrey Demicoli.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli, appearing for the accused, argued that the accused, who had just returned from the UK, where he had undergone an operation met up with his estranged wife in the car, where the alleged threats were passed.

Up until yesterday evening, the accused had received email correspondence from the victim, Dr Dalli continued.

She submitted a request for bail, which was not objected to by the prosecution.

In view of the fact that the accused and the victim live door to...