Gaming executive cleared of assaulting his drunk friend
Court dismisses claims made about Mellieħa poolside incident due to lack of corroboration
A court has acquitted a British gaming executive of grievously injuring his friend, ruling that the victim’s injuries were likely the result of a drunken fall rather than a violent assault.
Michael James Taylor, 40, a British national residing in Mellieħa, stood accused of causing grievous bodily harm, issuing threats and committing private violence against his friend Philip Francis Dean.
The April 2, 2024 incident came to light days later, when police were alerted by staff at Mater Dei Hospital that Dean had sought treatment for facial injuries.
Dean alleged that during a night of heavy drinking and swimming at Taylor’s home, his host had suddenly turned violent, threatening him with a knife and assaulting him.
However, Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia found that the prosecution’s case lacked corroboration, relying entirely on the testimony of the complainant.
The court heard that Dean and Taylor had consumed significant quantities of wine and whiskey that night and then swam in Taylor’s swimming pool.
Taylor testified that Dean had become violently ill - vomiting, urinating and defecating on the bed and floor - before passing out and banging his head on the floor.
He submitted photographs of the scene, showing Dean unconscious on the floor and damage done to the property.
Dean testified that he had gotten out of the pool, walked to one of the bedrooms and then been assaulted by Taylor, leaving him on the floor naked and bleeding. He said he had not reported the incident immediately because he was scared of Taylor.
In her decree, Magistrate Farrugia noted that while Taylor was clearly "furious" at his guest for having damaged his home, the evidence suggested the facial trauma Dean suffered was consistent with a fall caused by extreme intoxication. The court further questioned Dean’s delay in reporting the incident, noting that he had left the residence and waited until prompted by hospital staff to speak to the police.
The magistrate dismissed the claims of violent assault, noting that WhatsApp messages the two subsequently exchanged appeared to be the frustration of a host dealing with property damage rather than evidence of a criminal threat.
Taylor had sent Dean a message telling him "you were a prize-winning prick this evening," but the court ruled that was an insult, not a contravention in this circumstance. Taylor was fined €25 for another message in which he told Dean “run kid… you better run, just for fun I’ll make exception of you”.
He was acquitted of all other charges.
Lawyers Alex Scerri Herrera and Matthew Xuereb appeared for Taylor.