Charged with knife attack

A Qormi man was yesterday charged with seriously injuring his neighbour with a knife on Monday morning.

Jason Vella, 34, pleaded not guilty to assaulting and injuring Alfred Felice and to the possession of a knife without a licence.

During the arraignment, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna heard Lawyer Joseph Giglio, for Mr Vella, explain that the fight between the two men broke out when Mr Felice had turned up at Mr Vella's house, armed with a knife, following an argument between the two. Police Inspector Maria Stella Attard said Mr Felice would be arraigned and charged with the attempted murder of Mr Vella once he (Mr Felice) was released from hospital.

Although she was not opposed to the granting of bail, she was concerned about the safety of the two men who lived across the road from each other. The inspector added that Mr Felice's family was well known to the police.

Magistrate Apap Bologna granted Mr Vella bail against a personal guarantee of Lm1,000 and on the condition that he does not approach any of the prosecution's witnesses and relatives of Mr Felice.