Three cleared of assault at Birzebbuġa Labour Party club
Alleged victims refuse to testify due to self-incrimination fears, leading to court dismissing case
Three people charged over a brawl at a Labour Party club have been acquitted after their alleged victims refused to testify for fear of self-incrimination.
Brian Mangion, 31, his 22-year-old brother Shylon and Wayne Barbara, 29, all stood of assault, making threats and breaching the peace after a man was grievously injured in an afternoon fight at a Labour club in Birżebbuġa in March 2024.
Prosecutors told the court that the trio had injured two men, Sean and Floyd Cassar, following an argument. Both men suffered grievous injuries in the fight.
Police officers testified that when they arrived at the club, they found the two injured men along with other members of the Cassar family, including club manager and barman Kurt Cassar known as 'il-Bobo' gathered outside the club.
They claimed that they had been confronted by Carmelo Mangion, known as ‘Il-Lillu’ and father of two of the accused. The issue allegedly concerned a workplace issue related to the Mangion’s wife, who worked at the club.
Brian Mangion admitted that he had thrown a punch during the altercation but insisted he had done so in self-defence. The other two accused insisted they had only tried to calm things down.
The case against the three men, however, faltered because members of the Cassar family refused to testify, citing their fears about self-incrimination.
The court, presided by Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi, noted that in the absence of that testimony, there was a lack of incriminating evidence against the accused and that prosecutors had also failed to prove that Mangion’s punch was not in legitimate self-defence, as he claimed.
It therefore acquitted the three, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adreana Zammit appeared for the defence.