Husband who left wife in underground room denied bail

The man who allegedly kidnapped his Maltese wife and left her in a dark secluded place in Kalkara, without any food and drink for several days, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty this afternoon. Roddy Swinton Williams, 37, Seychelles-born and residing at Fgura, was charged with having placed the life of his wife in manifest jeopardy, violently engaging in sexual acts with the woman, holding her against her will, harassing her and causing her to fear violence. Moreover, the man was charged with having, on the same occasion, been in possession of heroin. Additional charges related to slight bodily harm upon his wife’s son, as well as with threats against police officers and with breaching public order and peace. The defence put forward a request for bail, pointing to a fact which cast doubt upon the veracity of the version recounted by the victim, who reportedly is still receiving treatment in hospital. Lawyer Franco Debono, leading the defence team, stressed that the woman had altered her original version, first saying that her estranged husband had gone to her workplace and threatened her unless she accompanied him in his car. However, later she said that she had...