A psychiatrist was arraigned in court on Monday on charges believed to be related to domestic violence and stalking a number of women.

The lack of clarity as to the precise charges and the surrounding circumstances come as a result of the media being ordered out of the courtroom by Magistrate Lara Lanfranco.

The defendant was arraigned by summons by Inspector Sherona Buhagiar. 

But before the sitting began, the magistrate objected to the presence of reporters in the courtroom. "I'm not comfortable with journalists being present for domestic violence cases," she said.

Defence lawyer Frank Anthony Tabone told the court that “in fact, we were going to request a ban on the publication of the name of the defendant.”

Prosecutor Ramon Bonett Sladden made no objection to the request.

The magistrate ordered the journalists to leave the courtroom. The case continued behind closed doors.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi is also assisting the defendant.