A 35-year-old man from Żabbar has been granted bail after admitting to threatening his partner during a domestic dispute in which he allegedly warned she would "end up in a wheelchair" and said he hoped she would suffer from cancer.

The accused pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including threatening his partner, causing her to fear violence, inflicting slight injuries, making threats through electronic communications, he was also charged with committing an offence while subject to a suspended sentence.

The court heard that the incident took place on Tuesday at around 5am, while the couple were preparing food at the accused's grandmother's residence.

The disagreement reportedly began after the victim commented that the food had been burnt.

During the argument, he allegedly insulted the woman before threating her that he "really hopes she gets sick with cancer" and that she would "end up in a wheelchair". The victim also told police that he had intimate photos of her on his phone and was using them against her to intimidate her.

A risk assessment later classified her as being in an extreme level of danger. When officers arrested Schembri at his residence, he complied with police instructions and handed over a plastic gun that had been kept inside a locked safe.

Before sentencing, the defence requested the preparation of a pre-sentencing report. It also sought bail, which the court granted.

As part of the bail conditions, Schembri must sign at the police station twice a week and is bound by a personal guarantee of €4,000.

The court also issued a protection order in favour of the victim.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Christian Cauchi.

The accused was represented by lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Fleur Abela.

Magistrate Jean Paul Grech presided over the case.