A 36-year-old self-employed construction worker from Ħamrun was granted bail on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to charges relating to his former partner, including harassment, threats and misuse of electronic communications.

The court heard that on 23 August, the man's former partner filed a police report in which she referred to a number of incidents that had allegedly taken place since June.

The prosecution said the couple's relationship had ended around four years ago, while the woman left the family home and went to live in a shelter.

The court heard that hundreds of messages had been exchanged, with around 400 allegedly sent on one particular day.

The messages included some threats but largely consisted of insults, including "trash goes with the trash" and "you betrayed me."

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the validity of his arrest was not contested.

The defence requested bail, which was opposed by the prosecution on the grounds that the alleged victim still had to testify.

The prosecution argued that the accused had already been given an opportunity, but the alleged behaviour had continued, and that it was therefore still too early to grant bail as the victim still needs to testify.

The defence argued that the accused had cooperated and stressed that his main concern was the wellbeing of his children. The court heard that the children were currently staying at a shelter and that one of them had wanted to remain with her father after feeling uncomfortable there.

The defence also argued that the necessary evidence was already in the hands of the authorities and that there was therefore no risk of interference with evidence.

The court granted bail, taking into consideration that the accused had a fixed job and provided for his children.

He was ordered to observe a curfew between 10pm and 5am and sign the bail book at Birkirkara police station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday between 8am and 9pm. A protection order was also issued in favour of the alleged victim, prohibiting the accused from communicating with her. Bail was secured against a €1,000 deposit and a €9,000 personal guarantee.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Omar Zammit and lawyer Lara Dimitrijevic, while lawyer Yanika Barbara represented the accused.

Magistrate Ingrid Bianco presided over the case.