Munxar driver accused of threatening to run over another man
Defence insists there are two sides to the story
A 31-year-old man from Munxar was remanded in custody on Monday after being accused of threatening to kill another man and attempting to run him over with his car.
Godwin Attard appeared before Magistrate Jean Paul Grech in Gozo court, facing a string of charges, including breaching two bail conditions. He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution told the court that the incident went back to June 16 when the victim filed a police report claiming that Attard had threatened to kill him. He told the police that the accused had followed him closely in his vehicle, and subsequently attempted to run him over.
Following the report, an arrest warrant was issued and Attard was arrested by police early Monday morning.
During cross-examination, defence lawyers questioned the prosecuting inspector whether the police were aware that the alleged victim had previously splattered paint on Attard’s car and sent him a barrage of threatening and insulting messages. The inspector confirmed that he had been made aware of these claims by the accused during interrogation.
Arguing for bail, the defence maintained that Attard was the true victim in the situation. Both Attard and his family had been subjected to threats and insults by the victim. The only mistake made by Attard was his failure to file a counter-report with the police.
The defence stressed that there are two distinct sides to the story, arguing that justice would be best served by granting bail given the prior provocation and attacks by the victim.
The prosecution strongly objected to the bail request, citing a serious fear of tampering with evidence, noting that both the victim and several eyewitnesses have yet to testify. Furthermore, Inspector Josef Gauci pointed out that Attard was already in breach of two bail decrees.
Magistrate Jean Paul Grech denied the request for bail and highlighted that the victim has yet to give evidence. He pointed out that Attard had been arraigned before the same court just days prior for breaching his previous bail conditions.
The prosecution was led by Police Inspector Josef Gauci while Lawyer Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit appeared for the accused.