Pensioner jailed three years for attempting to murder wife with hammer
The woman has since died of natural causes
Updated 7.50pm
A pensioner has been found guilty of trying to murder his wife with a hammer in 2019 and jailed for three years.
The 68-year-old was accused of attempted murder and causing grievous injury to Maria Dolores Borg at their home in Triq il-Qasam Barrani, Mellieħa, on November 11, 2019.
The woman suffered life-threatening injuries to her face and brain injuries after being struck multiple times in the head and face.
She died of natural causes several years later.
A jury on Monday declared Emanuel Borg guilty of attempted murder of his sleeping wife six votes against three, and not guilty of causing her grievous injuries with six votes against three.
The man was found guilty of attempted murder with "voluntary desistance and sudden passion" by the jurors.
The defence requested a suspended sentence, while the prosecution requested the maximum punishment. The charge of attempted homicide carries a prison sentence ranging from eight to 40 years, while the charge of grievous and permanent injury carries a penalty of six to 12 years’ imprisonment.
Following the verdict, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera sentenced Borg to three years in prison.
He will also have to cover court expenses amounting to €9,178.97.
Borg denied attempting to murder his wife and faced a trial by jury which kicked off on July 7.
During the trial, he told jurors that his wife had threatened him first during an argument over €300, and claimed she accidentally struck herself as the couple struggled over the weapon.
The prosecution was led by lawyers Kevin Valletta and Justine Brincat on behalf of the Attorney General.
Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Lennox Vella are appearing for Emanuel Borg.
The attempted murder
On the day of the assault, the woman was at their home in the Għadira area in Mellieħa, where she had prepared lunch for her husband.
At around noon, following the meal, she went to rest in their bedroom and fell asleep. It was at this moment that Emanuel Borg allegedly decided to execute his plan.
Borg allegedly armed himself with a hammer, entered the bedroom where his wife was sleeping, and struck her multiple times in the head and face.
He is accused of then leaving her and calling the emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital, telling them he had just severely beaten his wife and that she was unconscious.
Medical responders at the scene certified the woman to be in a critical condition. Upon the arrival of the police, Borg immediately told officers to arrest him, confessing that he was the one who had beaten his wife.
The police arrested him and gave him his legal rights.
It was later confirmed that his wife sustained severe, life-threatening injuries to her face and brain.