Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538870
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 AUGUST 2025 NEWS Security guard admits to punching partner after discovering text message from ex A Serbian man was dragged to court on Tuesday after punch- ing his partner after discovering she had received a text message from her ex. He was charged with caus- ing his former partner to fear that violence would be used against her, causing her slight bodily harm, wilfully damaging his partner's iPhone 16 and his partner's employee Fujitsu lap- top. The 40-year-old man was al- so accused of attempting to use force against the woman and for issuing threats and insults in her regard, on two separate occasions. The couple had been together for a year and a half and lived together at a Sliema residence, which the accused paid rent for. Inspector Audrey Micallef ex- plained that on the eve of the in- cident, his ex-partner had gone out to Sliema with a friend to at- tend a feast and watch the fire- works. The accused, who was working a night shift as a secu- rity guard, messaged her around 1am, telling her to return home. She ignored the message and arrived home about an hour lat- er. The woman changed into her pyjamas and the accused sum- moned the woman onto the balcony, demanding to see her mobile phone. After handing it over, he opened Instagram and saw a message from her ex-part- ner. Although she had ignored the text, the accused reportedly felt betrayed. According to the woman's claims, he then punched her legs and smashed the phone on the floor. She further alleged that Markovic threatened mem- bers of her family. Following the incident, she left the house, reported the matter to the po- lice, and she was given medical assistance at the nearest health centre. The court also heard that this was not the first violent episode. The woman also recalled an earlier argument on 17 August, during which she claimed the accused threatened her, assault- ed her, and scratched her in the face. However, she admitted to not having any medical certificates to substantiate this alleged as- sault. A danger risk assessment test resulted in a score of 16. Markovic has been in the country for seven years and has a clean criminal conduct. He was handed a one-year- prison sentence, suspended for two years. A three-year re- straining order in favour of his ex-partner was also issued. "At 40 years old, these things shouldn't be happening. You need to forget the woman right now, learn from this, and don't come back here. If you do, you'll be leaving in handcuffs", the magistrate warned. Inspector Audrey Micallef prosecuted the case. Legal aid lawyer Julia Micallef Stafrace assisted the man. Mag- istrate Joseph Gatt presided over the sitting. MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "As a Party we spoke with him just yesterday. We made it clear that that speech does not reflect the values and principles of the Party. He was asked to issue a public apology for what he said, and we do not feel that further action is necessary," he told Mal- taToday. On Monday, Dingli comment- ed, "I must say, you should've been born a woman, because you like being beaten too much," with reference to PN leadership candidate Adrian Delia. In comments to the Times, the mayor doubled down on his re- marks, saying women derived sexual pleasure from being hit. "The Maltese like to say that a woman enjoys being beaten (tis- sawwat) even while having sex with somebody," he said at the time. The deputy mayor later on Monday issued a half-hearted apology, saying his comment was "taken out of context," and he apologises "if someone was offended". Dingli on Tuesday also posted a photo of him in sunglasses smil- ing, with a caption reading that "today is a day of relaxation". His comment also drew con- demnation from the Commis- sioner on Gender-Based Vio- lence and Domestic Violence and the Parliamentary Secretary for Equality. (Top) On Monday, Dingli commented, "I must say, you should've been born a woman, because you like being beaten too much," with reference to PN leadership candidate Adrian Delia. (Bottom) Jonathan Dingli's 'apology' Labour won't act after deputy mayor's apology to those who 'misunderstood him' Deputy leader Alex Agius Saliba says deputy mayor Jonathan Dingli's comment 'does not ref lect party values', but after half-hearted apology over people's misinterpretation of his remarks, Labour will not take any further action