Mabrouk Mourad was charged with sequestering Karen Ciantar and holding her against her will at 2.30pm last Saturday afternoon.

The man was also charged with being in possession of an unlicensed pointed instrument, blaspheming in public and driving a car without a licence or insurance.

Mourad pleaded not guilty to all the charges pressed against him. The request for bail was denied and the accused was remanded in custody.

Inspector Victor Aquilina prosecuted while Dr Vincent Galea appeared for Mourad.