A father of seven was on Monday charged with placing a knife against his wife’s neck.

The man, of Libyan nationality, has denied the charges but was refused bail by Magistrate Astrid May Grima after pleading not guilty.  

The 42-year-old self-employed, whose name cannot be published to protect the identity of the alleged victim and their children, was arrested on Sunday after his wife filed a police report. 

The aggression allegedly took place inside the couple’s Birkirkara apartment at around 2pm. 

His lawyers requested bail, arguing that the man had another place where to stay and that he had ties in Malta, having lived here for more than 20 years.

The request was objected to by the prosecution in view of the serious nature of the alleged offence. Civilian witnesses, including the alleged victim, were still also to testify. 

Inspector Omar Zammit prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono and Tiziana Micallef were defence counsel.