The Family Court has declared a marriage between a Maltese man and a German woman null and void because the woman had a serious alcohol problem even before the marriage took place but which had never been revealed.

The Family Court, presided over by Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri heard how the marriage took place between a 33-year-old Maltese man and a 42-year-old divorced German woman after just a few months of seeing each other.

Soon after the wedding, the man noticed that his wife had an alcohol problem and this affected their relationship in such a way that the alcohol problem also affected their intimacy. The husband tried to help her kick the habit but this was futile. Eventually the woman left the matrimonial house and ceased all contact with her husband.

Mr Justice Cuschieri upheld the man’s request and declared the marriage null and void.