Man accused of using violence against his son

A 36-year-old Nigerian father has been released on bail after having been charged with violence against his minor son.

The man, whose name is not being revealed so as to protect the identity of the victim, was also charged with having slightly injured the boy, with having caused him to fear the use of violence and with having breached the terms of two conditional discharges granted earlier following similar charges of violence against the same boy.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested bail. The prosecution objected to this request.

The defence pointed out, before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, that although his client had various conflicts with his son, he denied having inflicted violence upon the boy. The court was told that the accused had undergone a kidney transplant operation and was currently unemployed owing to his medical condition.

Staying at home to care for his three children while the mother worked 12 hour shifts, was no easy feat, the court heard. The defence further argued that if the accused were to be remanded in custody, his health would be negatively affected and the whole family would have to endure greater stress.

The court...