A 35-year-old Ukrainian national, Vasyl Kucherenko, who resides in St. Paul’s Bay, has been arraigned before the Magistrates’ Court facing serious allegations of domestic violence involving his wife and kids.
The case was presented today before Magistrate Ann Marie Thake by Inspector Omar Zammit.
Incident Outside School
The charges relate to an incident on April 20, 2026. The court heard how the accused allegedly followed his wife while she was on her way to collect their children from school. During the encounter, Kucherenko reportedly attempted to grab one of the children and took a bag containing a laptop.
The prosecution stated that the accused made direct threats of violence against his wife and son, causing significant fear. These actions allegedly took place in the presence of minors, aggravating the nature of the offenses.
Violation of Protection Measures
The prosecution highlighted that a restraining order was already in place to protect the woman and children. By approaching them, Kucherenko allegedly violated this court order, which specifically prohibited him from having access to the children.
Additional charges brought against him include:
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Committing crimes while under a probation period.
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Recidivism, following several previous criminal convictions.
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Using insults and making threats.
Bail Denied
While the defense entered a plea of not guilty, the prosecution requested a formal protection order to ensure the safety of the victims. Citing the gravity of the threats and the accused’s history, Magistrate Thake denied bail, and Kucherenko has been remanded in custody.
