Disgruntled debtor smashed beer glass in man’s face over €20 loan

A 59-year-old man who confronted a friend over an unpaid €20 loan ended up suffering serious facial injuries after he had a beer glass smashed in his face, a court heard today.

This was heard during the arraignment of 37-year-old Johan Sciberras who is pleading not guilty to seriously injuring Johan Said.

Said told the court that the incident occurred on August 12 in a bar in St Paul’s Bay at around 10pm when Said asked the accused for the €20 he had borrowed from him some four weeks before.

Upon spotting him drinking by the bar, Said is said to have took exception at the accused for the non-payment, complaining that that if he had enough money to buyt beer, he also had enough to repay him.

It was at this moment, that the accused allegedly stood up, and smashed a beer glass in the face of the 59-year-old man.

The victim was subsequently hospitalised after suffering a tear to his ear.

The alleged incident occurred in Aphrodite Bar, in Triq Sant’ Aristarku, St Paul’s Bay.

The case continues.

Lawyer David Camilleri was defence counsel while Inspector Maurice Curmi prosecuted.