A Briton today was charged with threatening to kill his wife in an argument which took place in their home early yesterday.

The 46-year-old man, who is not being mentioned to protect his family, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on bail against a €2,500 deposit and a €5,000 personal guarantee. 

Police Inspector Elton Taliana told the court that this was not the first time that the police were despatched to this particular home. 

The man had an argument with his wife just before the two were meant to attend an event so he ended up going by himself.

On his return home, the argument continued but this time around, a number of chairs and other household items were smashed during the argument that also involved his 20-year-old son. 

Inspector Taliana explained that when the police arrived, the Brit attempted to open a kitchen drawer which had cutlery inside it. Before doing so, he told his wife and son that he would kill them both with a knife.

A knife was found hidden behind the sofa in the living room by police soon after he was arrested.

The inspector said that it is evident the man could not control his anger and police did not want to take any risks.

He said the man’s behaviour is worse when he indulges in alcohol.

The lawyer of the accused, Dr Mario Spiteri, said that it was his client’s wife and son who provoked the incident.

He also insisted that there was no evidence whatsoever to link his client to the knife which was found by police behind the sofa.

The magistrate said that domestic violence is not something that the court takes lightly but noted that the man complained that the deposit was too high.

It also took into consideration the fact that the man would leave the matrimonial home and move to an apartment in St Paul's Bay.

The court ordered him to sign the bail book once a week and a protection order in favour of the woman and her children.