A woman assaulted by her partner in Paceville sought help from police officers who stopped to check on their car, which was parked in the middle of the Coast Road in the early hours of Monday morning.

Her 44-year-old partner, a Mellieħa resident, was subsequently charged with assault, causing slight injuries, making the woman fear that violence would be used against her, and threatening or harming her through electronic communications. He was also charged with recidivism.

Officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU) were patrolling Triq il-Kosta when they spotted a stationary vehicle in the middle of the road. Concerned that its occupants might need assistance, officers approached the car. 

When police asked whether they needed help, the woman indicated that she did. Officers pulled over and separated the couple to establish what had happened.

The woman told police that an argument in Paceville had turned violent, with her partner punching her in the chin, striking her on the head with a mobile phone and pushing her against a metal barrier.

Police instructed the man to leave the scene, while the woman was taken to the domestic violence hub in Mtarfa.

Officers noticed visible injuries to her face. A medical certificate confirmed that she had sustained slight injuries.

The court also heard that a domestic violence risk assessment returned a score of 16. 

He admitted to the charges. The defence requested bail, requesting the court to consider the man's early guilty plea. 

The court granted the accused bail against a €1,000 deposit and a €5,000 personal guarantee, while ordering that he be assisted by a probation officer pending judgment.

During submissions on sentencing, which was deferred to a later date, the parties agreed that temporary supervision and probation would be appropriate, citing the man's drug-related problems and the fact that the assault was an isolated incident.

Inspector Colin Sheldon prosecuted. 

Defence lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri represented the accused. 

Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia presided.