Man admits attempting grievous injury but defence insists he was provoked
'He went to work not to war' lawyer argues as court hands suspended sentence
A 39-year-old Għargħur man was given a suspended sentence after admitting he tried to grievously injure another man with a cardboard cutter.
Steven Azzopardi was also accused of causing the victim slight injuries, insulting and threatening him, as well as breaching the public peace in the incident on December 22.
Defence lawyer David Gatt argued that the charges issued against his client, who opted to exercise his right to remain silent and decided not to contact a lawyer before questioning, were chosen by the prosecution.
He argued that his client did not know the victim and he only happened to be on that road for work reasons. The lawyer added that there must have been something that provoked his client’s behaviour which was not on the video presented in court.
“He went to work not to war. For sure he had been provoked,” the lawyer said, adding that Azzopardi “did not take a break by beating up people”.
Prosecutor Jurgen Dalli countered that he would refrain from entering into the merits of the case, but recommended that the man is not given an effective prison term, adding that “hopefully the accused learns from this isolated incident”.
After hearing the submissions, the court handed a two-year jail term suspended for four years. The court issued a three-year restraining order in favour of the victim.
Magistrate Lara Lanfranco presided.
AG lawyer Jurgen Dalli prosecuted, assisted by police inspector John Sammut.
Lawyer David Gatt appeared for the accused.