Husband, boyfriend charged over fight

A man was yesterday charged with injuring his estranged wife's boyfriend and, in a separate arraignment, the boyfriend was charged with assaulting the man.

Charles Zammit, 40, of Zebbug pleaded not guilty to assaulting his wife Claudine Zammit Refalo and her boyfriend Jonathan Debono, slightly injuring Mr Debono and trying to seriously injure him in San Gwann on Sunday.

In the other arraignment, Mr Debono, 21 of San Gwann, pleaded not guilty to damaging Alexander Baldacchino Seguna's car which was driven by Mr Zammit and assaulting Mr Zammit.

Magistrate Abigail Lofaro heard Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, for Mr Zammit, explain that a fight between the two men broke out and then Mr Zammit took his children back to his wife's house on Sunday and found Mr Debono there.

During submissions on bail, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that his client had a right to see his children and was not to be denied of that. He suggested that his client starts picking up his children from the police station to avoid future episodes.

When Magistrate Lofaro suggested this to Mr Debono's lawyers - Dr Lesley Cuschieri and Dr Daniela Mangion - Dr Cuschieri pointed out that the two men had been charged with different offences and therefore different bail conditions ought to apply.

Magistrate Lofaro added that, if one was granted bail so would the other, and when Dr Cuschieri noted that this may be dangerous she ruled that both men would be remanded in custody.

She recommended to the prison authorities to keep the men separate while in prison.

Police Inspector Mario Tonna prosecuted.