A man who stabbed another man in the neck during a bar fight in Hamrun three years ago has been handed a suspended sentence and placed under psychological treatment.
George Vella, 60, of Santa Venera had originally been charged with the attempted murder of Alan Grima at the Union Bar in Hamrun, on 13 October 2013.
He was also charged with grievously injuring Mr Grima, causing him permanent damage to his face and neck, being in possession of a blade during the commissioning of a crime, breaching the peace and being drunk in public.
A court had heard, during Mr Vella's arraignment, that Mr Grima was stabbed in the neck with a knife during an argument with the accused. Mr Vella ran away after the incident but was found by RIU officers shortly after, covered in blood and still holding the knife.
Defence lawyer Franco Debono had told the court that the man has been under medical and psychiatric care and was awaiting a board's decision to stop working.
The attempted murder charge was dropped at some point during the proceedings.
In handing down its sentence, the court noted that the accused had admitted to the charges. It also took noted of the testimony of psychiatrist Joseph Spiteri and a probation officer and heard how Mr Vella's condition had stabilized and that his drug tests were repeatedly coming up negative.
Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech said a jail sentence was not ideal in this case. She handed down a two-year prison sentence, which was suspended to four years. Mr Vella was also fined €116 and ordered to pay €4,952 in court fees.
The court also issued a three-year protection order in favour of the victim while the accused was placed under a three-year treatment order to receive the necessary psychological care.
Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Mr Vella.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1Urw6QN
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