Man accused of stabbing his son-in-law

A 53-year-old man from Attard today pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his son-in-law when he allegedly stabbed him in the abdomen with a kitchen knife during a fight.

Raymond Mallia was granted bail against a deposit of €1,500 (Lm643.77) and a personal guarantee of €4,500 (Lm1, 931.33) after he pleaded not guilty to stabbing Wesam Ghazzeddin twice. He also pleaded not guilty to carrying a knife without a licence and breaching the public peace. He was ordered not to leave his residence.

Defence lawyer Joseph Giglio told the court how on the night before the crime Mr Mallia had been at a wedding reception with his family when his daughter had a fight with her husband, complaining about his drinking habits.

After Mr Mallia's daughter had confided in her father that her husband Mr Ghazzeddin was ill-treating her, Mr Mallia went to their house the following day to try and sort out any marital problems that the couple were having.

Mr Ghazzeddin allegedly attacked Mr Mallia by punching him and pushing him against a wall. It was only after he had been beaten that Mr Mallia produced the knife and stabbed him twice.

The court presided by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli heard how Mr Mallia has no criminal record and was only trying to help his daughter out of the difficult situation.

Police Inspector Sandra Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio and Stephen Tonna Lowell appeared for Mr Mallia.