Ferry captain testifies boatman bit him after filming row

A ferry captain recounted in court how a traditional boatman (barklor) punched him and bit his finger after he asked him to stop filming.

Criminal proceedings began yesterday against Ivan Agius, 52, from Cospicua, who is accused of grievously injuring a Valletta Ferry Services captain as well as threatening and insulting him during an incident earlier this month.

Testifying, the alleged victim described a strained relationship with Agius, saying that, although they knew each other, the accused would often provoke him.

“Sometimes, I’d be going about my business and he would start filming me,” the witness said. 

On the morning of September 4, the ferry captain said he was unloading materials near the ferry, which travels between Cospicua and Valletta, when Agius approached at about 9am and began recording him using his phone. The captain asked him to stop. 

“For me, these are all provocations,” the witness said. “One comes to film you without any reason.”

He claimed Agius replied: “I film, yes. So when the time comes, I have the videos.”

The victim said he turned to cross the road when Agius struck him in the face and then bit his left ring finger, causing it to bleed heavily

The captain said Agius walked off, but later confronted him again, when he was about to cross the road. The pair argued about the filming, with Agius allegedly saying: “You will soon all know what I mean.”

The victim said he turned to cross the road when Agius struck him in the face and then bit his left ring finger, causing it to bleed heavily. 

He said he was surprised by the attack, especially since Agius has other pending criminal cases. 

The victim went to the police and was later found to have a fractured finger. He had to undergo surgery and spent eight days in hospital.  

After being discharged, the victim was approached by a third party along the Cospicua seafront, who allegedly said: “Why didn’t you beat him up instead of filing a report and sending him behind bars? He [Agius] has two children.” The victim replied: “And I have four”.

Magistrate Monica Vella ruled there was a case to answer for.

A bail request was made by defence lawyer Franco Debono, while parte civile lawyer Ana Thomas noted there was already a protection order in place. Prosecutor Godwin Cini objected to bail, citing the accused’s criminal record and concerns about evidence tampering.

The court is set to rule on bail from chambers. The case continues in October.  

Police inspector Gabriel Kitcher assisted the prosecution. Lawyers Marion Camilleri and Marcus Ciantar also appeared for the accused.