Updated 3.23pm
A gardener ended up in court after biting the finger of the captain of the Bormla-Valletta ferry in a heated fight in Bormla.
Ivan Agius, 52, from Bormla, appeared in court on Friday afternoon where he was accused of grievously injuring another man as well as threatening and insulting the alleged victim.
Agius, who is also a traditional boatman (barklor), was further charged with breaching the public peace, committing a crime during the operative period of a conditional discharge and recidivism.
Police inspector Gabriel Kitcher explained that the alleged victim filed a report about an argument which happened in the middle of the road between him and the accused on Triq Santa Tereża in Bormla on Thursday.
The pair assaulted each other, Kitcher said, adding that “one of the victim’s fingers ended up in the mouth of the accused.”
The victim is currently in the hospital as his finger was fractured and he had to undergo surgery.
Lawyer Marcus Ciantar requested bail, to which the prosecution objected.
Prosecutor Godwin Cini argued that the man was facing serious charges and that there were civilian witnesses yet to testify, including the alleged victim himself. He added that there are real fears he would commit another crime and referred to the man’s criminal record.
Ciantar countered that the man is still presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He argued that so far, no evidence had been brought to sustain the allegations that the alleged victim had suffered grievous injuries.
He underlined that the man was ready to abide by any conditions imposed by the court.
After hearing the submissions, the man was denied bail at this stage due to the serious nature of the offences and there was a real fear he would tamper with the evidence.
A protection order was issued in favour of the victim.
Magistrate Nadia-Helena Vella presided over the arraignment.
AG lawyer Godwin Cini prosecuted, assisted by police inspector Gabriel Kitcher. Lawyer Marcus Ciantar appeared for the accused. Lawyer Ana Thomas appeared for the alleged victim.
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