Zebbiegh murder suspect jailed for breaching bail, keeps €15,000 deposit

Kenneth Gafa – the man accused of murdering his former girlfriend in Zebbiegh in 2010 – has been sentenced to three months behind bars after admitting to breaching bail conditions for the second time in four months.

In August 2012, a criminal court upheld Gafa’s ninth request for bail and released him against a deposit of €15,000 and a personal guarantee of €25,000. Gafa is pleading not guilty to the murder of Christine Sammut, who was fatally shot in the neck and chest in Zebbiegh.

The murder took place on December 11, 2010, when Gafa is said to have driven his van next to Sammut’s van and shot through the window. The murder weapon was never found.

Presided by Magistrate Neville Camilleri, the court heard on Saturday that Gafa was found drinking at the Top Gun bar in Marsa after his 10pm curfew had elapsed. An RIU official told the court that the accused had been drinking.

In his defence, Gafa, who was represented by legal aid, told the court that he visited the bar because he needed to borrow €100 for his mother’s medicine. Moreover, he also claimed that he had been drinking because he was offered a whiskey.

The defence’s plea was however heavily disputed by the prosecution, who argued that had he successfully borrowed the money, he would not have been able to buy medicine until the next morning.

In its decree, the court said Gafa’s defence was not credible and did not hold water. The court found the man guilty of breaching his curfew, and consequently sentenced Gafa to three months in prison, and revoked bail.

However, the court did not order that the accused rescind his deposit or personal guarantee.  

Inspector Chris Pullicino prosecuted.