A man was given a suspended jail term after pleading guilty to domestic violence. Jimmy Buhagiar, 33, of Fgura, pleaded guilty to physically assaulting his wife in their residence and causing her serious injuries. The incident took place on Monday at 8.50pm.

Buhagiar, who is unemployed, was also found guilty of pushing his wife with the intention of hurting or insulting her and breaching public peace.

The court, presided over by magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna handed down a two-year jail term suspended for four years. Buhagiar was also ordered to sign a one-year protection order in favour of his wife against a guarantee of e1,000.

He is to reside with his mother in Xghajra.

In handing down judgement, the court took into consideration his early guilty plea and that he had fully cooperated with the police. His criminal record was relatively clear except for a theft case some years ago.

Police inspector Alexander Grech prosecuted while lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett represented the accused.