Two men come to blows while assisting motorists in traffic accident
An incident motivated by the alleged victim’s sexual orientation - prosecution
A 31-year-old Safi man on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to causing facial injuries to another man following a collision on Triq l-Iljun in Qormi.
Brady Azzopardi, a deliveryman, was accused of assaulting and grievously injuring the other man in an incident motivated by the alleged victim’s sexual orientation. Both the accused and the alleged victim were not directly involved in the collision but arrived on the scene to help the motorists.
Azzopardi was also accused of provoking and threatening the alleged victim, and recidivism.
Defence lawyer Matthew Xuereb requested bail and explained that Azzopardi’s girlfriend was involved in a collision with a vehicle being driven by the alleged victim’s friend.
Police inspector James Mallia clarified that there was a collision between “vehicle A” and “vehicle B” on December 27. A woman who was driving one of the cars called Azzopardi, and the other driver called his friend, the victim.
The defence and prosecution contested when the alleged victim arrived, with the prosecution insisting that Azzopardi arrived first. Xuereb countered that the alleged victim and the other driver assaulted his client’s girlfriend. She then called Azzopardi to assist.
An issue also arose on why Azzopardi was charged with causing grievous injuries motivated by the victim's sexual orientation. The police inspector explained that insults were hurled at each other, and the accused allegedly called the alleged victim “pufta” to which the victim replied by informing him that he was homosexual and was “happy with himself”.
The court granted Azzopardi bail against a €1,000 deposit and a €9,000 personal guarantee. He was ordered to sign the bail book three times a week. A curfew was also imposed. A protection order was issued in favour of the alleged victim.
Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech presided. AG lawyer Manuel Grech prosecuted, assisted by police inspector James Mallia. Lawyer Matthew Xuereb assisted the accused. Lawyer Nicholas Mifsud appeared for the alleged victim.