A 52-year-old man who attacked his wife with a knife and was charged with grievously injuring her has received a suspended sentence after the woman decided to forgive him.

The court heard how back in August 2008, during an argument, the husband had hit his wife in the face with a knife, causing ‘permanent disfigurement’. The couple have been living together for the last eleven years and have three sons.

The wife had decided to forgive the man despite claims that he had tried to use violence against her in the past. She had argued that she did not want the marriage to stop, because of the children.

On one occasion, she had left the husband for around two weeks. The man had run back to her crying and begging for forgiveness. She accepted the apology and went back to live with him. The couple reside in a house in Hamrun.

It also emerged that the accused had a long history of criminal offences. Most of the 14 previous offences are related to dangerous driving. He was also previously accused of disturbing public peace and of aggravated theft. These cases date back to 1998 or earlier.

It appears that the argument which led to the assault was caused when the husband thought the woman had stolen €50 from his wallet. The situation escalated when, while the accused was eating with his three sons, the victim got scared of the accused and left the house. The accused then ran after her with a knife.

The court heard how the man started to swing his knife and then hit the woman on the right side of her face and right above her eye. The woman lost consciousness and the accused helped her lie down on the floor. She was later taken to hospital, where her wounds were stitched up.

In November 2008, months after the incident, the woman had declared that she would be willing to forgive the man, on that they did not live under the same roof.

However the court decided it should still carry on with the case as it’s a clear example of breach of domestic violence laws.

Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia found the man guilty of causing grievous bodily harm, but acquitted him of the charges related to attempted murder.  Noting that the wife had forgiven the man, the court handed down a two year prison term, which was suspended for four years, and a fine of €5,000.