Victim recounts how he was hit in the face with a glass

A 31-year-old business manager from Costa Rica yesterday pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring another man at a bar in Paceville when he allegedly smashed a glass in his face.

Ralf Jorg Feldt, who lives in St Julians, was charged with seriously injuring Keith Bone on Thursday morning in Shadow Lounge, Paceville. He is also charged with disturbing the public peace.

Magistrate Antonio Vella heard Mr Bone testify that on Thursday at 3 a.m. he went to the bar in question with friends.

After meeting some other friends inside the bar, he saw a female friend standing in the VIP area just across the dance floor. He approached her and they exchanged greetings.

While he was speaking to the woman, the accused walked up to her and asked if she was OK.

"On speaking to another friend, also behind the line in the VIP area, the accused told me to move away from the VIP area," the witness said. He added that his sister tried to pull him away from the area and, on turning around, the accused hit him in the face with a glass.

When blood started gushing from his face, Mr Bone said he was rushed to the toilet by the security personnel who looked after him before taking him downstairs.

Mr Bone said the medical staff at St James Hospital in Sliema, where he was taken immediately after the incident, said he was lucky because he could have had half his face paralysed as a result of the cuts.

Mr Bone concluded that he never met the accused before and did not know the reason why he hit him.

At the end of yesterday's sitting, Mr Feldt was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee for €5,000.

Police Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Feldt.

Lawyers Manuel Mallia and Arthur Azzopardi appeared in parte civile.