Brothers admit injuring man after argument at Gianpula party
The argument escalated outside the nightclub, when one of the accused grabbed a grinder
Two brothers from Siġġiewi pleaded guilty to slightly injuring another man during a party at Gianpula on Easter Sunday, a court heard on Tuesday.
36-year-old Melvin Montesin and his 38-year-old brother Roderick were arraigned in court on Tuesday morning, where they were both charged with injuring another man.
Police inspector Roderick Attard explained that on April 5, three individuals – two women, who are siblings, and the boyfriend of one of them – and the two accused were at a party at Gianpula.
Attard said one of the women spotted Melvin Montesin and went up to the accused and told him to "leave my sister alone".
This led to an argument, and the Montesin brothers were escorted out of the party venue.
The argument escalated outside the venue, with the police inspector saying Melvin Montesin grabbed a construction grinder and used it to intimidate the victims, but it was not used to hit any of them.
By the time the police arrived on site, the Montesin brother had left.
Following an arrest warrant, the men were arrested on Monday.
On Tuesday, Melvin Montesin was also separately accused of causing the trio fear that violence would be used against them and causing slight injuries to one of the women. Melvin Montesin was also accused of threatening and insulting the three victims.
He was further charged with breaching two sets of bail conditions, one of which was imposed in February. Both men admitted the charges.
In his submissions on punishment, police inspector Roderick Attard differentiated between the two brothers and noted that Roderick Montesin’s position was “secondary” in the incident.
He explained that the man was barely mentioned by the complainants, and initially, Roderick Montesin tried to “calm his brother” and was “probably a bit drunk and threw some punches at the male victim.”
While the man’s criminal record was not clean, the prosecution requested a probation order in view of the circumstances of the case.
On Melvin Montesin, Attard highlighted that the “incident was caused by the accused”.
Attard said that the accused was remorseful for what happened, and a probation order would also be suitable in the case.
Lawyer Nicholas Mifsud, assisting Melvin Montesin, told the court that a three-year probation order would be suitable in this case.
He also requested a restraining order in favour of the victims.
After hearing the submissions, the court handed a two-year probation order to Roderick Montesin.
On the other hand, Melvin Montesin was handed a 13-month prison term, suspended for three years.
The court also ordered that Melvin Montesin forfeit a total of €2,000 in bail deposits from the two separate proceedings he is facing before the court.
He was also fined €500. A treatment order was also imposed on Melvin Montesin.
A restraining order in favour of the victims was issued against both men.
Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi presided. Police inspector Roderick Attard prosecuted. Lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Ishmael Psaila appeared for Roderick Montesin and Melvin Montesin, the latter also had lawyer Nicholas Mifsud.