Enemalta engineer remanded in custody, pleads not guilty to animal killing

Nicholas Grech charged in court over Mosta animal crucifixions

Nicholas Grech, 37 of Mosta, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to five charges including the killing of various cats and dogs which were found crucified in different areas of Mosta from 2011 onwards.

Grech was charged with the illegal killing of various animals, animal cruelty, violation of burial grounds, trespassing on religious grounds, forcing entry into the Mosta Parish church and l-Isperanza Chapel and vilifying the Catholic religion.

Sitting in the dock, with his head down and slowly rocking back and forth, Grech pleaded not guilty. He said he works as an engineer and lives with his parents in Mosta.

The notorious hangings and mock crucifixions of dog and cat carcasses around Mosta, dates back to 16 October 2011, with the last case taking place on 3 February this year. In the last incident a dog and cat were found hung upside down at the side and on the front of the Mosta Church.

In a court hearing which started at 6:45pm, police inspectors Edmond Cuschieri and Joseph Busuttil explained how investigations led the police to Grech's residence. On his computer, investigators found photos and other evidence connected with the case. 

Following his arrest, the man released a police statement admitting to being the person behind the hangings. However he argued that he never killed the animals. MaltaToday has information that the dead animals were collected from various locations which Grech would collect while riding his bicycle.

The police exhibited the two statements Grech released to the investigators, together with all the police reports filed over the animal crucifixions since October 2011. The prosecution also exhibited 15 keys the accused used to access burial grounds and chapels.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech requested that the court appoints a court expert to examine the mental state of the accused. Dr Fenech argued that at this stage the accused was pleading not guilty but reserved the right to change his plea after being examined by a court medical expert. “The accused has already been handed a number of judgements which have been appealed, and in all cases the court proceedings include reports by at least three different psychiatrists.”

The prosecution informed the court that Grech was currently receiving psychiatric treatment. Inspector Cuschieri filed a court application also requesting that the court provides for the examination of Grech's mental state.

Magistrate Marsanne Farrugia upheld the request and appointed psychiatrist George Debono to assess the mental state of the accused from 2011 to date.

Nicholas Grech was remanded in custody, but the court advised the Director of Prisons that the accused is kept at the Forensic Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital and given the medical and psychiatric support he requires.

Today's arraignment laid to rest suspicions that the man behind the hangings was connect to Frangisku Buhagiar, after the first cat was found outside the house where the octogenarian had murdered his sister. Moreover, one of the animals found in February was hung to a statue of St Philip - Buhagiar had financed the statue's restoration.