A Swatar man has been jailed for two years suspended for four years after he was found guilty of seriously injuring his sister-in-law by punching her in the face.
Desmond Falzon, 42, was found guilty of punching Monica Montanaro in the face on February 9, 2003 in Birkirkara.
The court, presided over by magistrate Miriam Hayman, heard how Mr Falzon went to his in-law's house and asked to speak to Ms Montanaro. The victim told the court that as soon as he saw her, he ran towards her and punched her in the face. She suffered serious injuries to her eye and even needed a number of sutures. In her judgment, Magistrate Hayman took into consideration the examinations conducted by the court-appointed experts who described the injuries as serious and which could possibly lead to complications in the future.
Magistrate Hayman said that the injuries Ms Montanaro sustained were grevious but without causing permanent disfigurement. She handed down a suspended jail term and ordered Mr Falzon not to molest Ms Montanaro. She bound him to a Lm100 fine in default.
Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.