Man bailed after fight over noisy barbeque

A Romanian national has been released on bail this morning after he pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring a neighbour in a fight over a barbecue.

Before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera this morning, Inspector Elton Taliana charged Costel Popovici, 25, with causing actual grievous bodily harm and attempting to cause very serious bodily harm to the man, who is also from Romania.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto told the court that the night before the incident, the victim had brandished a knife at his client, who was hosting a barbecue on the roof of his St. Julians flat, demanding he make less noise. 

The next day, the accused went to clear the air with the neighbour but was attacked once again, said the lawyer. Popovici retaliated and the neighbour suffered broken ribs as a result.

Whilst he did not contest the fact, he was not accepting criminal responsibility for the charges, said the lawyer, also requesting bail for the accused. In order to avoid further clashes, Montalto said that his client could reside with his cousin at another address.

The court accepted the request and granted the man bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 and on condition that he does not leave the house or communicate with the victim.