Noel Tanti said he had filed various complaints at both Hamrun and Birkirkara police stations claiming that his wife, Sylvana, had left home on 22 August with their children.

He said he filed a request in the Family Court to have access to his children and this was approved. He said that he had been granted at least two visits a week but although he turned up each time, his wife did not.

Mr Tanti said the police had told him that his wife was in a safe place, but would not give him any further information. He also claimed that he had taken a lawyer’s letter to a police station, but it had been refused by the police.

He therefore requested the court to institute legal proceedings against his wife at the earliest possible opportunity.

Dr Joe Brincat signed the writ.