aA 49-year-old man was yesterday accused of trying to seriously injure a Nigerian woman by stabbing her after he reacted to her alleged intention to abort their baby.

Joseph Cassar, from Marsaxlokk, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, which include slightly injuring Rita Ogbobor after stabbing her in the thigh, as well as illegally possessing a knife and relapsing on 18 November in St Paul’s Bay.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona, heard from defence counsel Roberto Montalto how Mr Cassar reacted after he feared Ms Ogbobor would abort the child they conceived.

Mr Cassar also informed the Police Vice Squad in order to investigate Ms Ogbobor as abortion was a crime locally. Magistrate Micallef Trigona granted him bail against a personal guarantee of Lm500 and ordered him not to go anywhere near St Paul’s Bay area.

Police Inspector Paul Bond led the prosecution while Dr Roberto Montalto and Dr Ian Farrugia appeared for the accused.