A Tunisian man was remanded in custody this afternoon after pleading not guilty to beating up his wife after she accused him of being lazy. 

The incident happened in their St Paul's Bay apartment at 6.30am on Monday while the couple's four-year-old daughter was present. The man was arraigned today, charged with seriously injuring his wife, threatening her and causing her to fear that violence will be used against her.

The wife appeared in court sporting a black eye and butterfly stitches over the lacerations on her face. 

Lawyer Franco Galea, appearing parte civile for the woman, said this incident was not the first, adding that other similar incidents happened in the past, but were never reported to the police. 

When defence lawyer Stefano Filletti argued that the man also had injuries, thought to be bite marks, the magistrate appointed a court expert to examine the couple's injuries. 

The court turned down the request for bail after the prosecution objected, arguing the man could tamper with evidence. 

Inspector Godwin Scerri prosecuted. 

The name of the accused is not being published to protect the identity of the woman.