A father of Nigerian descent was arraigned before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera and charged with using violence and terrorising his son. He has been released on bail.

The 36-year-old whose name is not being mentioned to protect the identity of the child, denied the charges brought against him which included causing fear to his son that violence would be used against him in the future. The prosecution led by Inspector John Spiteri also charging the man of breaching two conditional discharges related to cases of previous violence against the son.

Appearing for the man, defence lawyer Stefano Filletti explained that although the two had conflict issues, the father did not lift a hand on his son. He said that the accused had been recently discharged from hospital following a kidney transplant and that is why the man was out of work and had to stay at home to take care of his three children.

Dr Filletti argued that if the man is to be remanded in custody, it would harm his fragile health and put more stress on the family as the mother has to work 12 hours each day.

The accused had been jailed in 2006 for charges related to corruption of two 17-year-olds in Sliema. 

The court ordered that during the proceedings, contact between the father and the child is not allowed.

Taking the witness stand, the mother of the child confirmed the previous incidents of violence and that these had been addressed. She said that she had checked on her children every day to see if there were any bruises or marks, but could not find any. The mother said she never saw the father beating his children.

The court decided to uphold the request for bail with a personal guarantee of € 1,500. A protection order for the minor was also issued.