Teenager accused of assaulting his mother with knife and floor squeezer

A teenager has denied assaulting his mother with a knife and a floor squeezer.

Police inspector Omar Zammit told the court that police were alerted to the incident after the 19-year-old man’s mother told her son's probation officer, who subsequently informed the police.

The mother claimed her son had assaulted her with a knife and hit her with a floor squeezer in her back. The suspect was found in the common area of the block of apartments where his family lives, and was arrested.

Xan Muscat was accused of assault and causing his mother fear that violence would be used against her and her property. He was also charged with threatening his mother and carrying a knife without a license.

Muscat was also accused of handling stolen property after the police found him in possession of a Kymco Agility City motorcycle that had been reported stolen in June.

The man was also charged with committing an offence during an active probation order and recidivism.

Defence lawyer Tonio Grech informed the court that his client told him that he is “informed that his mother was willing to forgive him”.

Grech requested bail, highlighting that the man had cooperated fully with police. If granted bail, the man would live with his brother. The lawyer insisted that the charges were “exaggerated” and claimed that no knives were used in the incident.

Zammit interrupted the lawyer, informing him that the accused's mother was outside the courtroom.

The woman took the stand and said she was ready to forgive her son on the condition that he move out of the house.

“He is no longer a minor and can go and rent a place, as long as he does not live at my house. I want him to get the help he needs but he always does the same thing,” the woman said, adding that one of the man’s brothers lived with his partner at his in-laws.

“He can go work and rent a place for himself,” the woman reiterated before stepping off the stand.

The court rejected the mother’s request for forgiveness given that it was conditional on his leaving the house.

When the parties resumed their submissions, Grech warned that if his client were denied bail, he would lose his job.

“This man can continue his life on the right path,” Grech said, before claiming that the man and his partner had argued because the latter is pregnant and wants to have an abortion. The mother allegedly supported the partner.

Zammit objected, highlighting that the man did not provide an address where he would reside if he were to be granted bail.

Bail was denied and the man was remanded in custody.

Magistrate Jean Paul Grech presided. 

Police inspector Omar Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyer Tonio Grech appeared for the accused.