Threats to a woman which frightened her, disturbing the peace and relapsing yesterday earned a man a year’s jail sentence and a €5,000 fine.

Julian Genovese, 52 of Qawra, was found guilty by Magistrate Ian Farrugia of calling his sister in law from jail, three days before he was to regain his freedom, and threatening her that she would know “on Thursday” who he was.

Maria Gauci told the court she knew Genovese because he was her sister’s former husband. She knew on 17 September that he was still in jail and due to be released three days later. On the day of his release he went past Nova Tours of St Julian's, where she worked, at about 4.45pm and started swearing at her, and she became frightened.

The court heard the playback of two telephone calls Genovese had made.

Handing down sentence, the court considered that Genovese had been ordered not to go near St Julian's and San Gwann, and not to approach Maria Gauci. Magistrate Farrugia said Genovese did not want to learn from his past. He used to insult Ms Gauci, who is a sick person and needs help, and he caused her to fear violence being used against her.

Genovese was found guilty also of verbally threatening both Ms Gauci and Adrian Vella De Luca from jail, using a telephone to commit the crime, making them afraid, disturbing the peace by shouting and fighting, and relapsing.

Inspector Trevor Micallef led the prosecution.