Teenager recounts Paceville stabbing

An 18-year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen when he intervened to stop a fight between his friend and another man, a court heard yesterday.

Joseph Digby took the witness stand before Magistrate Miriam Hayman in the compilation of evidence against Johann Montfort, 18, of Birkirkara, who is pleading not guilty to seriously injuring him with a knife on June 24 in Paceville.

The witness explained that on the day of the incident he was at a Paceville bar with friends, when one of the group approached Mr Montfort and reminded him he owed Lm10 to another friend.

Later on that evening, as Mr Digby and his friend were walking to the car park, they came across Mr Montfort. When Mr Digby's friend reminded Mr Montfort again about the money, the accused produced a knife. Mr Digby intervened and got hit in the abdomen. He was rushed to hospital where he was operated upon.

Police Inspector Martin Sammut prosecuted.

Lawyer Franco Debono represented Mr Montfort.