Boy's fatal fall, architect to seek legal advice

The architect of a building where a three-year-old boy fell to his death this morning asked to seek legal advice before testifying after he was warned by a magistrate that he might incriminate himself.

Architect Philip Mifsud took the witness stand in the case against the owner of the building, Francis Mamo, 53, of Naxxar, a director of Oman Construction Ltd, who stands charged with the involuntary homicide of Gabriel Agius.

Mr Mifsud said Mr Mamo was a client of his and he confirmed that he was the architect of the block of flats where the young boy died.

At this point, Magistrate Doreen Clarke told the witness that since he was the architect responsible for the building he could chose not to testify as he might incriminate himself. Mr Mifsud said he wanted to seek legal counsel before continuing to testify.

In the last sitting the boys' mother, Vanessa Agius told the court that she parked her car and went to look for the source of a water leak accompanied by her son. The leak had penetrated the ceiling of the split-level basement garages.

The two followed the trail of water to the upper level. On reaching the end of the building, her son suddenly disappeared and she heard a thud. The boy fell down a storey and died shortly afterwards.

Government architect Lawrence Buttigieg said he had examined the outside of the building where he found a particularly dangerous section.

Adjacent to the pavement, there was a staircase which led down to a door but he did not know where this led to. It was very dangerous as there were no railings protecting pedestrians, he said.

The case continues.