Man remanded in custody for beating mother and brother

A 36-year-old man from Santa Venera has been remanded in custody after he was arraigned in court today, charged with grievously injuring his brother and slightly injuring his mother after an argument over storing pipes at home turned violent.

Inspector Robert Said Sarreo told magistrate Joe Mifsud that the incident, which took place on Monday, began with an argument between brothers Joseph and Alexander Cassar over pipes which Joseph had been storing in the yard.

The pipes were eventually disposed of, but Joseph had a change of heart and no sooner were the brothers rid of the pipes that Joseph Cassar decided that he wanted them back. A violent argument ensued and the accused, Martin Cassar, intervened to break up the fight.

Events took an unexpected turn when the men's mother also waded in to break up her warring brood, with the accused then allegedly pummelling his mother's head. Seeing this, Alexander broke free of his other brother and went to hold the accused back, receiving a beating for his efforts.

The net result of this family brawl was Alexander suffering a wound above his left eye, classified as grievous.

The argument continued at the police station, where the accused is understood to have attempted to attack Alexander Cassar. After being led outside the police station, the accused began to bang his hand on the police station's inner glass door, which then shattered, showering a constable with broken glass.

Martin Cassar was arraigned before magistrate Joe Mifsud, charged with grievously injuring his brother, slightly injuring his mother, violently resisting arrest, breaching the peace and damaging property at the Hamrun police station. He was also accused of relapsing.

Legal aid lawyer Victor Bugjea entered a plea of not guilty and requested bail, retracting the latter request after the accused said that he had nowhere else to live.

The accused was remanded in custody.