A 27-year-old man has been handed a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to slightly injuring his wife during an argument.

The Syrian national living in Paola, was arraigned under arrest before the Court of Magistrates on Wednesday, charged with voluntarily causing slight bodily harm to his wife.

The incident took place on 24 August, just one year into the couple's marriage. The court heard that the woman reported her husband to the police Domestic Violence Unit following an argument between the couple that afternoon.

The argument began at around 4pm after the husband sent a photograph of his wife over WhatsApp, which she did not like. The disagreement escalated, with the woman suffering injuries during the argument.

Her injuries were subsequently certified as slight by a doctor.

The man, who is currently unemployed, pleaded guilty to the charge brought against him.

The court sentenced him to one year in prison, suspended for two years. It also imposed a restraining order in favour of the victim for a period of two years.

Inspector Sherona Buhagiar prosecuted. The man was represented by a legal aid lawyer.

Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici presided over the sitting.