Charges dropped in violent family row case

Mystery remains as to what actually happened during a violent domestic dispute that led to the arrest of Diana Bajada after all parties forgave each other in court this morning.

The incident, between estranged spouses, lawyers Eucharist Bajada and Diana Bajada nee Busuttil, was described as a violent domestic dispute by an online blog. The husband had posted to Facebook on 13 July saying that his ex-wife had been arrested after breaking into his house, together with her father, beating up his 60-year-old maid and stealing files and computers, before attacking him and a lady friend of his as they arrived home. As a parting shot, a large potted plant was thrown at and emptied on his Mercedes.

On Facebook, Eucharist Bajada had alleged that Francis Busuttil, father of opposition leader Simon Busuttil had accompanied his daughter to Bajada's office, finding the elderly cleaner, who had been taking care of Bajada's friend's 5-month-old baby boy. The cleaner, Helen Briffa, and the child's mother, Nathalie Cauchi, were also allegedly assaulted. A fight ensued, during which the wife accused of emptying the large planter on the car.

Lawyer Edward Gatt for Briffa declared to magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech that Diana Bajada had withdrawn her criminal complaint and had settled the cost of the damage caused. Briffa had likewise also withdrawn her complaint, on condition that the incident did not repeat itself.

Diana Bajada had apologised to Cauchi and the two had withdrawn the cases they had filed against each other, with Bajada also dropping charges which she had filed against her son.

Cauchi, who was Bajada's secretary at the time, was not accused of any wrongdoing.

Police Inspector Nicholas Vella prosecuted. Lawyers Edward Gatt and Veronique Dalli appeared for Eucharist Bajada. Lawyers Giannella De Marco and Peter Fenech were Diana Bajada's defence counsel. Lawyer Stefano Filletti appeared for Cauchi.