Teenager charged with punching, seriously injuring man at Pavi supermarket
Court told it does not seem the two know each other
A 17-year-old was charged with seriously injuring another young man when he punched him in the face at Pavi Supermarket in Qormi.
The minor, from Qormi, pleaded not guilty to threatening, assaulting and seriously injuring the man on April 24.
Magistrate Astrid May Grima heard how, on April 26, a young man went to the Qormi police station and said he had just left the hospital - where he needed an operation after he was punched in the face while at the supermarket on April 24.
Police analysed CCTV footage and arrested the accused after he was identified from the footage.
So far, it has been established that the two young men did know each other.
The victim made some comment to the accused, and the latter retaliated with a punch.
The accused was granted bail against a €1,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of €10,000.
A protection order was issued, binding him not to approach the victim.
The court ordered a ban on the publication of the name of the accused since he is a minor.
AG lawyer Julia Micallef Stafrace prosecuted with the assistance of police inspectors Roderick Attard and James Mallia.
Lawyers Franco Debono represented the accused, while lawyer Anthea Bonnici Zammit appeared for the victim.