Woman found in Kalkara: estranged husband denied bail, charged with 'intent to kill' wife

Roddy Willams, 37, from the Seychelles was denied bail after pleading not guilty to a number of offences with the most serious relating to "intent to kill", rape, holding his estranged wife against her will and causing grievous injury.

Nathalie Williams, 46, was reported missing last Friday and was found late on Monday evening. The woman was found in an underground space near Fort Ricasoli and Fort Rinella. She was taken to hospital for treatment.

Williams was reported missing on Sunday was then found in the underground space in Kalkara last Monday.

In addition to the aforementioned charges, Roddy Williams is also charged with harassing his estranged wife, causing her to fear the use of violence, being in possession of heroin, threatening an on duty officer and disturbed the public stage.

Lawyer Franco Debono, representing the accused, put forward a request for bail during today's criminal arraignment, while the prosecution objected.

Debono argued that within the context of the presumption of innocence, a "fundamental" principal in Maltese law, the fact that the victim changed her version of events further requires that the accused's presumption of innocence is fully respected. He used this argument to have the request for bail granted.

Debono stressed that the victim later changed her story by saying that she agreed to meet with the accused on the day she was abducted.  Reports say that first the victim said she was threatened to go to the place, and then this was changed to say they had agreed to meet there.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, presiding over the case, acknowledged that how the victim got to the place is contested, however it does not explain how she was kept there for a long period of time without any form of nourishment.  

The prosecution said she made arrangements to meet up with the accused, but did not plan to be held there without food. He said that was the crux of the story.

Prosecuting inspectors Paula Ciantar and Josric Mifsud objected to bail on the grounds that witnesses still have to testify, that the accused's ties to Malta are limited and therefore there is a risk that he will abscond.

Ultimately, Frendo Dimech denied the accused's request for bail on the grounds that he is a flight risk, more so because an extradition treaty with the Seychelles is "limited".

The accused was also ordered to be given medical attention after he wasinjured, not in the course of his arrest.

from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2xJsJyL
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