Woman tells court how she was stalked by former boyfriend

Stephen Portelli, 30 of Tarxien was today remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to breaching bail conditions and threatening to use violence against his former girlfriend Chantelle Bianco.

The court, presided by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, heard how earlier this year a fight broke out between Mr Portelli and his father and Ms Bianco and her brother in Zejtun. Court proceedings in connection with that fight as still in progress.

Taking the witness stand, Ms Bianco said that for the past few weeks, Mr Portelli had been following her around wherever she went. Last week, she said she went to Sparkle Image shop in Marsascala. While still in her car using her phone, Mr Portelli approached the car and through her window snatched the mobile phone she had been using. He then followed her as she drove to Zejtun. At one point he threw the phone back to her, telling her he loved her and wanted to get back together.

She said the accused had also approached her mother’s and grandmother’s houses and even followed her into the ladies’ toilet in a bar in Paceville.

About a week ago, in Footloose Bar in Paceville, she said he pushed her against a cigarette vending machine and threatened a friend she was with. She promptly left the bar and went to another bar, where he pushed her against the bar and security personnel had to intervene, throwing out Mr Portelli and her friend.

Defence lawyer Marion Camilleri asked Ms Bianco to confirm that after trouble with her mother, she had gone to stay with Mr Portelli and they had also gone swimming together. Ms Bianco denied having contacted Mr Portelli.

Asked if she had made any calls from her mobile to his mobile, she said the calls indicated on the telephone sets were made by him when he stole her mobile so as to give the impression that she had called him.

Comments

G Manfred (on 29/8/08)

true love is a suicide

Joseph Schembri (on 28/8/08)

What interest does the public have in knowing the names of the man and the woman in question? Even the name of a shop was published. A little pathetic I would say. No wonder we don't see the name of the reporter.

J Micallef (on 28/8/08)

This is sickening and very, very worrying.

Sounds like one of those horrible true stories that are presently being aired on Rai 3, called 'Amore Criminale'.

Unfortunaley, the law is limited when it comes to 'prevention'.

I hope that the accused clears up his mind and decides to leave the poor girl alone, before something very serious happens.

In the meantime, the law should ensure all procedures are in place to safeguard the harassed person and her family.

Of course, for the time being we only know bits and pieces, and goodness knows what the truth is, however, people should be mature enough to know when they should call it quits. And that's before a silly emotion turns into a dangerous obsession.