Magistrate Joe Mifsud today ordered an Italian man to stay away from his former partner, following allegations of harassment.

The man, Salvatore La Rocca, was summoned on charges of harassment, misuse of telecommunications equipment, defamation and threats.

The court heard how harassment began after the relationship between the accused and the alleged victim came to an end. The accused also allegedly worked for her, and his employment had been terminated.

After losing his job, the accused presented his former partner with an invoice for over a hundred thousand, claiming that this was for promoting the business, a figure disputed by the woman. The woman eventually paid his some of it, however alleged that he continued pursuing her for more payment. The woman claims that Mr La Rocca logged into her gmail and Facebook accounts changing the passwords, as well as posting information on her business’s Facebook page stating that they were going to close down.

Testifying, a police sergeant said that the woman, in August 2016, reported that Mr La Rocca would pass down her road, revving his motorcycle’s engine in an attempt to scare her, and that he also followed her around with a dog. The man told the police however, that he passed through that road on his way back home from work. The policeman said that the accused also denied knowing the passwords to the Facebook and gmail accounts.

The accused had his legal aid removed for future sittings, after the man said that he was employed.

The case is set to resume in May, and until that time, Magistrate Joe Mifsud issued a protection order, warning the accused that he faced six months imprisonment as well as a fine if he breaches it.