Aroud also pleaded not guilty to threatening Mr Caruana with stones or other hard objects by throwing them at him. He was also charged with relapsing in view of previous convictions.

Defence attorney Dr Martin Fenech told the court that the accused rented his flat from Mr Caruana and that it was Mr Caruana who had entered Aroud’s residence on the day in question.

Dr Frank Cassar. who is appearing parte civile for Pierre Caruana, said his client is terrified of the accused. “It is not fair that a Maltese man is being frightened by a foreigner,” he said.

Presiding magistrate Denis Montebello granted Aroud bail against a personal guarantee

of Lm300. The accused was

also ordered to pay a Lm200 deposit.