Denies trying to kill journalist

A man yesterday denied stabbing wine bar owner and journalist David Darmanin in the early hours of Tuesday morning in an argument involving the victim's girlfriend.

James Aquilina, 35, of Attard, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of the 29-year-old acting editor of the Business Today in his wine and tapas bar, Ciao Frà.

Mr Darmanin was found by police lying unconscious in a pool of blood just outside the bar after he was allegedly stabbed three times inside his outlet in High Street, Sliema. Mr Aquilina used to date Mr Darmanin's girlfriend and was questioned about the stabbing the same day in the afternoon.

Police sources said there were a number of witnesses who had seen Mr Aquilina enter the bar and start an argument with Mr Darmanin which led the two men to start fighting. The witnesses then called for the police and waited with Mr Darmanin while the ambulance was on its way.

Police Inspectors Chris Pullicino and Jesmond Micallef requested that bail be denied due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Defence lawyer Gianella Caruana Curran asked for her client to be examined by a doctor as he had visible injuries to his left arm and on his neck.

She also said that she was not asking for bail as the defence counsel were informed that there were a number of civilian witnesses that still had to testify. She requested that they be brought to court as soon as possible.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli remanded the accused in custody.