Two women in court after injuring each other in hotel room fight

A holiday at a Mellieħa hotel turned violent when two visiting friends allegedly attacked each other in their room, leaving blood across several areas and landing both women in court.

Ifra Mohamed Mocow and Muna Abdullah Saalah, who are visiting Malta together, were staying at Ramla Bay Resort when the hotel staff called the police on August 11 at about 10pm.

In court, police inspector Warren Galea explained that the police were informed about a fight at the hotel. In the women's hotel room, police found blood in the bathroom, bedroom and living room. Mocow was lying on the floor and Saalah was on the balcony.

Inspector Cheyenne Mangion told the court that they also found broken bottles and glasses inside the room.

Both women sustained several injuries to their face and bodies. Mocow was kept in hospital under observation throughout the night and the next day. She was discharged on Wednesday morning when she was promptly arrested.

Saalah was examined and discharged. She was taken to the Police Headquarters for questioning.

The first to be arraigned was Mocow, a 36-year-old Somalia-born British national, who was accused of causing slight injuries to Saalah using a cutting or pointed instrument. She was further accused of attempting to use force against Saalah with the intention to insult, annoy or hurt the woman.

As the court explained the procedure to Mocow, the woman replied: “I am innocent. I’ve defended myself. Don’t you see my face?”

The woman had stitches all over her nose and to the side of her face, among other injuries.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech requested bail.

Galea objected highlighting that the alleged victim and the hotel staff have yet to testify in the case. He added that the woman was on holiday in Malta and had no fixed address.

Fenech replied that one should consider the person’s liberty and “the victim will be in prison”.

“She suffered grievous bodily harm and it’s not a joke,” Fenech said, adding that she could stay at the hotel.

Galea countered that when the manager called the police, he had alleged that the pair had been drinking heavily and were a nuisance to the other guests. Moreover, the hotel did not want them there anymore.

The court denied Mocow bail and she was remanded in custody.

Saalah, also a Somali-born British national, was arraigned next and she was accused of causing grievous injuries to Mocow using a pointed or cutting instrument, as well as attempting to use force against Mocow with the intent to annoy, insult or hurt the woman. She pleaded not guilty.

Legal aid lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young said she will not request bail on behalf of her client at this stage.

The prosecution requested a protection order in favour of Mocow.

The court ordered the prison director to ensure that Mocow and Saalah are kept separate at all times with no possibility of communication amongst them.

Magistrate Elaine Rizzo presided.

AG lawyers Miriyah Borg and Krista Spiteri Lucas prosecuted, assisted by police inspectors Warren Galea and Cheyenne Mangion.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech appeared for Mocow.

Legal aid lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young appeared for Saalah.