17-year-old denied bail after alleged assault on elderly neighbour

A teen was denied bail after denying grievously injuring an elderly man following a long-standing neighbour dispute involving the accused’s family business.

The accused, whose name cannot be published due to his age, appeared before the court charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a 60-year-old, as well as issuing threats and insults towards the victims.

The prosecution explained that police were alerted on the morning of 11 May after receiving a report of a fight in Mellieħa by the alleged victim’s wife.

Upon arriving at the scene, police reportedly found several broken plant pots in front of a garage and found the elderly man with a wounded nose, with blood coming out of it. The court was informed that tensions had existed for years between the victim’s and the accused’s family, who operate a quad bike business on the same street, in a garage next door to the victim’s house.

According to the prosecution, a verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation. The elderly victim allegedly suffered injuries to the nasal bone and bleeding, injuries later certified as grievous.

The teenager, who works in the family business, was arrested shortly after the incident. He pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

The defence requested bail, arguing that the accused is responsible, regularly assists his mother in the family business, and was willing to avoid working from the garage situated near the victims’ residence.

The defence informed the court that the family owns several garages around Mellieħa and that the youth was prepared to relocate his work duties elsewhere to respect any protection order imposed.

The prosecution objected to bail, stressing the seriousness of the alleged grievous bodily harm and noting that the accused works next door to the alleged victims, making encounters highly likely.

During submissions, the defence added that the situation was an unfortunate incident for the accused.

The court denied the request for bail and issued a protection order in favour of the alleged victims. It also ordered that the victims testify during the first sitting of the case.

Inspector Warren Galea prosecuted with defence lawyer Josette Sultana representing the accused.

Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia presided over the sitting.