Woman charged with attempted murder of boyfriend

Anita Azzopardi, 35, of Bahar ic-Caghaq, was today charged with the attempted murder of her boyfriend Alfred Mamo, on the night of 21 May, at Bahar ic-Caghaq.

Prosecuting inspector Josric Mifsud explained how the police were informed by Mater Dei staff that a man had been admitted suffering from grievous injuries. The victim claimed that the accused had run him over with her vehicle.

Defence lawyer Gianella de Marco argued that the facts as presented by the prosecution give a different perspective to reality. “My client was the victim in this case and was reacting to Mamo’s provocation.

"He assaulted her, took her keys, drove under the influence of alcohol and started throwing stones at her and the car. It was the accused herself who told the police to take CCTV footage of the incident area so the truth comes out”, Dr de Marco argued.

Requesting bail, the defence said that the accused is the mother of three children aged 7, 8 and 12. She is the person who takes care of the children.

“Azzopardi works at her father’s business and there is no fear she would abscond. Mamo is the reason behind the arguments she had with her husband”, the lawyer said. The couple are undergoing separation proceedings. Moreover she has a clean police record and took the victim to hospital herself.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia heard how the alleged victim claims to be unemployed but rents out apartments in Paceville. “However you will not find records of such income as the apartments are not on his name”, the accused said.

Inspector Mifsud rebutted that in the past, the accused’s former husband Kevin Azzopardi had filed a police report, claiming the accused had attempted to hit him with her car.

He also said that at times his former wife would return home late, and it was he who had to take care of the children. Other reports claim that the woman had damaged her boyfriend's motorbike outside the Russian Embassy. However Anita Azzopardi was never charged or convicted of anything.

Magistrate Farrugia said that the reports exhibited by the prosecution were simply police reports and had no connection with today’s arraignment. “If she had previous convictions, it would have been different”, he said.

While objecting to the bail request, the officer confirmed that the victim had released a statement under oath and the CCTV footage had been retrieved by the police. “Mamo is still recovering at Mater Dei, awaiting surgical intervention on his fractured legs”, Inspector Mifsud said.

Anita Azzopardi was granted bail against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €8,000.