A man from Serbia has been denied bail after he was charged with grievously injuring his girlfriend during a row.
Swieqi resident Dorde Markovic, 29, appeared before magistrate Simone Grech this afternoon, accused of grievously injuring the woman and using force against her.
The inspector explained that the accused was arrested after a woman came to the St. Julian’s police station with a medical certificate of her injuries, saying that she had been beaten up by her boyfriend the previous night. She alleged that over their 18 month relationship, he had threatened her with her life on numerous occasions, often over things as trivial as her coming home later than agreed.
Inspector Balzan Engerer asked that the case to be dealt with under the Domestic Violence Act as the pair had been together for over a year. The Act carries far harsher punishment for such offences.
A not guilty plea was entered, the defence requesting bail. Lawyer Josette Sultana explained to the court that the accused had left the couple’s home and was residing in Swatar.
But the prosecution objected to bail as there were witnesses who were yet to testify. “The accused knows where she lives and it is very probable that he will do something to her,” said the inspector.
However, both parties agreed that the accused had complied with the police instructions.
The court, after hearing both sides make submissions on bail and considering the circumstances of the case and the nature of the charges brought against him, as well as having seen the documentation provided and the law, denied the man release from arrest.