A 50-year-old man was remanded in custody on Monday after pleading not guilty to charges related to threats made against his partner, including an alleged threat to behead her.

The Libyan-born man, who lives in Cospicua, is accused of causing the woman to fear that violence would be used against her, as well as insulting and threatening her. He also faces charges of breaching a protection order, violating two sets of bail conditions, and recidivism.

The court heard that the woman reported the man to the police on Friday, following an incident that allegedly occurred on Christmas Eve. She told officers that both she and the accused struggle with drug abuse and that during the incident he threatened to behead her and then kill himself.

According to her testimony, the man allegedly produced a multitool, which she managed to seize and throw away.

Police Inspector Omar Zammit informed the court that a protection order in favour of the woman was already in place, having been issued in separate proceedings. Despite this, the couple had continued to see each other.

Under questioning by defence lawyer Nicholas Mifsud, the inspector confirmed that both the accused and the alleged victim actively sought each other out.

Bail was not requested at this stage, and the accused was remanded in custody. The case was presided over by Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo. Inspector Zammit prosecuted, while Nicholas Mifsud represented the accused.