Youth granted bail after injuring man in Paceville argument

Jonathan Sammut, 25, of Swieqi, was granted bail after pleading not guilty to grievously injuring a Bulgarian national in Paceville in the early hours of Monday.

Prosecuting inspector Luke Bonello explained how during an argument in a Paceville establishment, the accused threw a glass at another man. However the glass hit Bulgarian national Veselin Toshev in his face, injuring him grievously. In the incident the victim suffered a cut on his eyebrow and glass particles scratched his eyeball. The incident happened Monday morning at around 1am.

Defence lawyer Steve Tonna Lowell requested bail, stating that the defence was not contesting the facts resulting from the police investigation. "The facts remain those described in the police statement, however at this stage Sammut is pleading not guilty in order to further establish what was his exact intent [during the act]."

The prosecution did not object to the bail request, but demanded that Sammut is not to approach or communicate with any witness or with the victim.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja granted bail to the accused against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000. Furthermore the accused's mother pledged herself as her son's guarantor.

Inspector Luke Bonello prosecuted while lawyer Steve Tonna Lowell appeared for the accused.