'Mosta cat killer' was delusional at time of offence

Nicholas Grech, the man charged with the illegal killing of various animals since 2011, was delusional and justified the killings as a means to an end, psychiatrist George Debono said in court.

Grech, 37 years old, from Mosta, faces charges of illegally killing 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.

In a short sitting, presided over by Magistrate Carol Peralta, court appointed psychiatrist George Debono explained how prior to the various incidents, the accused had refrained from taking his medication. He had also stopped attending Mount Carmel Hospital for treatment. Subsequently he became delusional and had a relapse of a mental condition he suffered from some years before.

Asked by the prosecution if Grech had the criminal intention to commit the offences he is charged with, the psychiatrist did not give a clear answer. Dr Debono said that while the man knew that his actions were wrong, “he believed that the end justified the means. The gratification he felt at the end of the deed rationalised his actions”.

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 parish church.

Grech, an engineer at Enemalta, was arraigned on the evening of 20 March, after photos and other evidence connected with the case was found on his home computer.

Magistrate Carol Peralta postponed the case to 29 May. In the interim, the magistrate will decide if Grech is mentally fit to face trial or not. Should the court rule that the accused is not mentally fit, the proceedings would be halted.

Inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Edmund Cuschieri are prosecuting.