Mayhem in sacristy over picture during First Holy Communion

A separated couple who came to blows in a church sacristy at their son’s First Holy Communion were warned by a magistrate not to harass each another in any way for a year.

What was meant to be a cause for celebration turned into a brawl two months ago at the Assumption of Our Lady parish church, Dingli after the boy’s father turned up with his new partner, it emerged in court yesterday.

Eyewitnesses said an argument erupted immediately between the father and his estranged wife but was quelled by the time the ceremony began. But once the celebration was over, the argument started again when the father wanted to have a photo taken with his son and partner.

With relatives interfering to have their say, the heated discussion quickly turned to blows and a litany of colourful language in church and priests, church volunteers and churchgoers had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

No one was injured save a relative or two who suffered a couple of cuts and bruises.

But the case was brought to the attention of the police and the couple and 10 relatives were charged with disturbing the public peace and uttering obscenities.

During the hearing, an argument over the fact that the mother, who has legal custody of her son, also lives with a partner, prompted Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera to raise their personal guarantees.

They pleaded guilty to their charges. However, the magis-trate did not let them off with-out a scolding and warned them that should the incident repeat itself they would be thrown in jail. The accused were escorted outside the courtroom by the police and their lawyers.