A three-year-old boy allegedly tried to protect his mother as his father repeatedly smashed her head against furniture inside their home, a court heard today.According to Times of Malta, police were called after receiving a report of a woman with a bloodied head in the street who needed urgent assistance. When officers arrived, her husband admitted putting his hands on her and was arrested.The woman was taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where she was certified as having suffered grievous injuries. She later told domestic violence officers that her husband had grabbed her by the hair and repeatedly hit her head against furniture while their three-year-old son was present.The child allegedly tried to intervene and told his father to stop in an attempt to protect his mother. The woman eventually managed to escape from the home while bleeding from her head, the court heard.A subsequent risk assessment found that she was at extreme risk. The man was charged with offences including voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm, causing his partner to fear violence and committing the alleged offences in the presence of a minor. He pleaded not guilty.Magistrate Franco Agius denied the man bail, citing the gravity of the case and his previous criminal record. A three-year protection order was also issued prohibiting him from contacting the alleged victim directly or indirectly.A court order prohibits the publication of the names and localities involvedThe prosecution was led by Inspector Audrey Micallef, with Jennifer Polidano appearing on behalf of the Attorney General. The accused was represented by lawyer Alizée Micallef.•