Injured man with broomstick

A man was yesterday given an 18-month jail term suspended for three years for assaulting and seriously injuring a man with a broomstick while his son was put on probation for three months for assault.

Alfred Psaila, 58, and his son Darren, 26, were both found guilty of assaulting Carmelo Darmanin at St Michael's Band Club, in Zabbar, on August 17, 2000.

They were also found guilty of hurling bottles in the club, breaching the peace, uttering obscene words in public and disobeying police.

Alfred Psaila alone was also found guilty of seriously injuring Darmanin and assaulting and slightly injuring his wife Pauline and band club president Vincent Mario Buhagiar.

Magistrate Abigail Lofaro heard how Alfred Psaila went to speak to Buhagiar on August 17, 2000, because he had been suspended from the band club. The conversation heated up until Alfred Psaila punched Buhagiar.

Carmelo Darmanin and his wife went to calm down the situation but Darren Psaila grabbed a broomstick, his father took it from his hands and hit Darmanin and his wife with it.

On handing down judgment, Magistrate Lofaro noted that although the Psailas had a criminal record, the offences listed in it were not alarming.

Police Inspector Marisa Camilleri prosecuted.