Man charged with causing overdose death

A 30-year-old man was yesterday charged with the manslaughter of his cousin, who allegedly died of a drug overdose on Saturday in what a lawyer termed a "family tragedy".

Johan Mifsud, of Cospicua, pleaded not guilty to involuntarily causing the death of 32-year-old David Spiteri, with whom he lived, and trafficking in heroin within 100 metres from a school or youth centre. Mr Mifsud's lawyer, Noel Camilleri, told Magistrate Joseph Cassar that his client was himself a drug user and called on the court to grant him bail as he had just undergone a family tragedy and was already feeling remorse for his cousin's death.

Police Inspector Pierre Grech objected to the granting of bail for fear that Mr Mifsud would commit the same crime.

The magistrate turned down the request for bail at this stage.