Former national team goalkeeper Justin Haber has resigned from his position as a local councillor in Floriana, days after a court found him guilty of threatening his sister.

Haber was found guilty in court of threatening his sister, Pearl, when he sent her a threatening voice message, telling her: "I will behead you". Pearl has since written on the social media about what she described as constant bullying from her brother since they were both young.

Haber announced his resignation from the local council after meeting with PL Deputy Leader Alex Agius Saliba on Monday. Haber was a local councillor elected on the Labour Party ticket.

He made the announcement in a short social media post. "I am doing this out of respect and loyalty to the Labour Party and to those who elected me last June," Haber wrote.

The Labour Party also issued a statement about Haber's resignation after he met with Agius Saliba, and said: "The Labour Party is against all forms of violence and expresses solidarity with the victims."

Justin Haber had been charged after he had sent his sister the threatening message on 8 January.

Haber did not admit to the charges filed against him, but upon testifying, he admitted to his wrongful actions.

Pearl Vella Haber had also taken the stand. The court had heard how she had previously reported Haber on a separate case back in 2014.

Haber had been summoned to court but she had decided to drop the case for family reasons.

However, this time round, she decided that it was time to take action against him. "The main reason I decided to go through with the report is because I know he is capable of such things".

She further expressed her constant fear of encountering him, contending that she never risks parking in an underground car park as she feared being confronted by her brother.

The Malta Women's Lobby on Saturday had expressed its full support and solidarity with Pearl Vella Haber.

Justin Haber was elected to the Floriana Local Council for his first time in June last year. The Floriana Local Council is made up of five councillors - two from the Nationalist Party in power over the locality's mayorship, a pair from the Labour Party, and one independent candidate.