Two men, woman charged with criminal damage over threats, damage to car

Two men and a woman have been charged with criminal damage over an incident in which a man's ex-girlfriend was threatened and had her car damaged.

On 28 January, Tyson Bugeja's ex-girlfriend reported to the police that she was receiving phone calls from him threatening her. Police went to her home in an effort to catch the man but were unsuccessful. Later that day, another report was received stating that he was intentionally damaging her car but police went to the scene and were unable to find him.

Police said that CCTV of the incident shows Tyson Bugeja smashing the vehicle's rear windscreen, whilst Natasha Bugeja is seen emptying green liquid from a jerrycan onto the car.

Prosecuting police Inspectors Eman Hayman and Oriana Spiteri explained to magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras that several reports about Tyson Bugeja going behind his ex-girlfriend's door and hurling abuse had previously been received. He is also on bail for other offences and has a criminal record, they said.

23 year-old Tyson Bugeja and 20 year-old Natasha Bugeja were charged with voluntary damage to the woman's Peugeot and breaching bail.  Ismael Magro, 19, was charged with complicity in the damage, driving a car without a driver's licence, insurance cover or road licence. Tyson Bugeja was further charged with threatening the woman over the phone and exceeding the limits of provocation, as well as with causing the woman to fear violence would be used against her.  Tyson Bugeja was additionally accused of breaching a temporary protection order.

The accused all denied the charges. Bail was requested.

The police did not object to bail in Magro's case, but pointed out that Natasha Bugeja was already on bail for another offence and that Tyson Bugeja was on bail at the time of the incident.

Defence lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Franco Debono explained that the ex-girlfriend had approached Tyson several times in a bid to reconcile. These, he said, were the alleged breaches of the protection order.

The inspector said that the ex-girlfriend was yet to testify and could still be influenced by the accused, especially in view of the reports that she had received threatening and harassing phone calls from Tyson. "I am concerned that Tyson Bugeja will disregard the conditions imposed by this court like he had disregarded those imposed by other courts," he said.

The court, having taken into account the circumstances of the case, denied Tyson Bugeja's request for bail.

Ishmael Magro and Natasha Bugeja were granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 and a €500 deposit. A protection order against the trio vis-à-vis the alleged victim was issued for her safety.

 

from The Malta Independent http://bit.ly/2WuR9Je
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