A 44-year-old man was remanded in custody yesterday after he pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring a woman on Sunday in Zabbar.

Victor Testa from St Julian’s was charged with punching Alexandra Abdilla and injuring her in the face with a lighted cigarette, causing partial permanent disfigurement to her body.

Before magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, the accused also pleaded not guilty to breaching the peace, swearing and relapsing.

He was further charged with using a telecommunications system for the wrong purposes and failing to observe instructions issued by the authorised provider of the system.

Police inspector Anthony Cassar prosecuted and Dr Kris Busietta and Dr Jason Azzopardi appeared for the accused.