Sean Neil Sciberras: Northampton accused man breaks down in domestic violence trial while giving evidence

A man accused of abusing his ex-partner, who allegedly held a glass shard and kitchen cleaver to her neck, has had his partially heard trial hearing postponed until next year. Sean Neil Sciberras, 51, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court for a trial hearing on Wednesday and Thursday on serious domestic violence allegations. In his defence, Mr Sciberras denied the abuse, claiming his on-and-off partner of five years Martine Kilday sent him more than 500 emails and 100 voice messages while he was on protective bail conditions and admitted he was “afraid” of her. On Wednesday, Ms Kilday told the court that on January 27, Mr Sciberras stalked and blocked her at his Northampton home, physically restrained her and threatened to kill her while holding a glass shard and kitchen cleaver to her neck. She said Mr Sciberras allegedly pushed, bear hugged and choked her, and at one point she was so distressed that she lost control of her bladder. She told the court Mr Sciberras allegedly held a six-inch piece of broken glass to her throat and said “if you call the police, I’ll f... you up”. Ms Kilday claimed he approached her in the bathroom with two kitchen cleavers and pressed one of the blades to her neck. During cross-examination, defence counsel Kate Fry questioned Ms Kilday’s credibility, putting it to her that her claims were false and the accused never possessed a weapon, or abused or threatened her. Ms Kilday scoffed when asked if she had ever assaulted Mr Sciberras, but later admitted she had hit him multiple times “in self-defence”. She also admitted she became jealous when Mr Sciberras was around other women in public. “There was a pattern that we would have … it would turn into this conflict and I would just leave to get away from the hostility,” she said. A series of derogatory emails sent by Ms Kilday to the accused between April and June were provided to the court, in some of which she threatened to commit suicide if he did not make contact. “I give up. If you don’t call me tonight I’m done now,” one said. Others said “You’re a f...... game player just using me” and “You are a sick f....”. Mr Sciberras gave his evidence on Thursday, telling the court he began seeing a counsellor because he wanted the relationship to work. Unable to hold back tears, he told the court he received at least 100 voice messages and more than 500 emails from Ms Kilday while he was on protective bail conditions not to contact her, as well as up to 30 anonymous calls in a day. “I told the counsellor ‘I’m afraid of this little person’,” he said. Mr Sciberras pleaded not guilty to unlawful assault, impeding breathing and two counts of threats to kill in April. Cross-examination of Mr Sciberras was adjourned until January 20. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14