PN employee fails to identify aggressors in August assault

PN employee Nicky Azzopardi told the court he did not know who, other than Raymond Axiaq, had punched him during a brawl outside pastizzi shop Crystal Palace (Is-Serkin) in August 2013.

Taking the witness stand in the compilation of evidence, the victim said he was punched several times but could not identify his aggressors. Raymond Axiaq, 58 of Żurrieq, known as ‘Il-banana’, was charged with assaulting and slightly injuring Azzopardi.

Arriving at Is-Serkin with his girlfriend and other friends at around 5am, Azzopardi saw former MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Franco Debono. Azzopardi said both men passed comments at him, but although describing Debono’s comment to be vulgar he did not understand what was said. “I did not understand what JPO said, but Franco insulted me using vulgar words”.

“Suddenly I was assaulted by a number of people. I saw JPO running towards me but have no clue who was hitting me apart from Raymond Axiaq,” the victim said. Axiaq allegedly hit Azzopardi on his right cheek causing him to spin around. “I was punched repeatedly and suffered bruising over my face. My glasses were knocked off and broken”.

Following the assault, the PN employee filed a report at the Rabat police station. Describing his unknown aggressor as a man with grey hair and being over 50 years old, Azzopardi identified the accused from a series of photos Inspector Sarah Magri showed him.

Lawyer Edward Gatt is appearing for the accused.

The case continues 7 April.