A soldier who works as a marine engineer with the Armed Forces of Malta was yesterday charged with hitting his father-in-law with a knife, threatening him and offending him and being in possession of an unlicensed sharp and pointed instrument.

The court heard how the incident took place following an argument Josef Galea, 32, from Fgura, had with his wife. Mr Galea was accused of seriously injuring Ibrahim Hassan Yousef Elasrag’s in his left hand. He was also charged with threatening him with a knife, assaulting him, swearing and using foul language in public, breaching the peace and being in possession of an unlicensed weapon.

Mr Galea, being a soldier, was further accused of committing a crime he was duty-bound to prevent.

The court heard how Mr Galea, who pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, has been having problems with his wife and the situation kept worsening. Defence lawyer Paul Gauci Maistre requested the court to grant his client bail but the prosecution opposed the request in view of problems he had been having with his wife.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna also heard that the accused would live at his brother’s house. But he turned down the request for bail and Mr Galea was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Jesmond Borg prosecuted. Dr Paul Gauci Maistre appeared for the accused. Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Veronique Dalli appeared parte civile for the alleged victim and his family.