An argument between a Serbian and a Maltese man in St.Paul’s Bay over an empty parking spot on Sunday allegedly led to one man’s finger being bitten off.
The 39-year old Serb and the 59-year old Maltese man got into a heated argument after one of the men insisted on reserving a parking spot for a tow truck that was expected to arrive any minute.
Tensions flared up and the Serbian man allegedly bit off the Maltese man’s finger. It has been reported that the Serbian man also suffered a heavy beating.
Upon arraignment in court, the Serbian man pleaded not guilty to grievously injuring the other man and was granted bail on the basis of the fact that he had also suffered serious injury and could therefore bring proceedings himself.
After hearing submissions by both parties, the court presided over by magistrate Astrid May Grima, upheld the request against a deposit of €1,000, a personal guarantee of €10,000, an order to sign the bail book daily and to abide by a curfew between 11 pm and 6 am.
The court proceeded to place the accused under a protection order, explaining to him that he was not to contact or harass the alleged victim until final judgment was passed.
The man was escorted to Corradino Correctional Facility as he did not have sufficient funds to secure his immediate release. Contact was later made with a relative who could source the €1,000 payment, guaranteeing his personal freedom.
What do you think of this situation?