Five teens charged with brutal attack on youth in Sliema released on bail

Five youths were granted bail on Friday afternoon in connection with a brutal attack on a 14-year-old boy in Sliema.

The youths charged include two 15-year-olds, one from Paola and one from Qormi, a 16-year-old from Siggiewi and another of the same age from Marsaskala. The fifth youth, is 18 years old and resides in Qormi.

The group, all Maltese, were collectively charged with causing grievous bodily harm, causing bodily harm during an accidental affray and breaching the public peace. The victim was left unconscious in the street.

The defence team appearing for all five accused requested a ban on the publication of the names. The court took a brief pause, since one of the minors was present with no parent or guardian. After submissions, Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici eventually upheld the request to prohibit publication of the names and other details that may identify the minors.

Victim left hospitalised with grievous injuries

Inspector Wayne Camilleri testified that the incident occurred on 31 January, when a young boy was found in a very serious condition after allegedly being attacked by the group. The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he remained for several days and was certified to have suffered grievous injuries.

Another boy, aged 13, was also present in the area. He told police he felt in danger due to the presence of the victim and the group accompanying him. As a result, he contacted the five accused to come and assist him, after which the situation escalated. The 13-year-old also identified some of the five accused.

The court also heard that other individuals were involved in the incident, however, since they are below the age of criminal responsibility, they could not be charged before the court.

All five accused pleaded not guilty.

The defence challenged the validity of the arrests, but the court ultimately held that all arrests were lawful.

In court, it was stated all five accused were granted police bail almost immediately. During interrogation, the accused admitted their involvement and revealed the identities of other individuals involved. They cooperated fully with the police and were questioned in the presence of their parents.

Accused granted bail

Bail requests were made for all the five accused.

The prosecution objected, citing the seriousness of the offence committed against a minor without any valid reason whatsoever, the fact that investigations are still ongoing and that the victim and other civilian witnesses have yet to testify.

The prosecution also raised concerns about potential interference with witnesses.

To counter, the defence submitted how all the accused have a clean criminal record. The defence reminded the court the accused were granted police bail, indicating that the police themselves did not consider continued detention necessary. The defence further held the accused cooperated fully with the police, provided information on the incident, and complied with all police bail conditions for two weeks. The defence questioned why stricter measures were now being sought.

Other defence lawyers contended that evidence, including CCTV footage, had already been secured, adding that fears of contamination of evidence raised by the prosecution could be adequately mitigated through bail conditions.

The court granted bail to all five accused against a personal guarantee of €20,000, subject to several conditions, including signing the bail book three times a week and a prohibition from frequenting the Sliema area.

A protection order was also issued in favour of the victim.

The court upheld the defence’s request for the minors' case to be heard before the Juvenile Court and ordered the proceedings be separated from those involving the 18-year-old accused.

The prosecution was led by inspector Elton Buckingham, inspector Wayne Camilleri and Attorney General lawyer Justine Brincat.

Defence lawyers Mario and Nicholas Mifsud, Charles Mercieca, Leslie Cuschieri, Matthew Xuereb, legal aid lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young and legal procurator Sandro Camilleri appeared for the five accused.

Lawyers Jacob Magri and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the parte civile.

Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici presided over the case.