Punched former girlfriend

A man who punched a former girlfriend in the face and injured her brother-in-law in separate incidents was yesterday given a suspended jail term.

Ruben Balzan, 39, of Sta Venera, punched Tiziana Miljanic on Saturday afternoon in an argument in Ħamrun.

Within the hour, the victim’s brother-in-law, Emanuel Saliba, became a victim himself after he phoned Mr Balzan and the two met.

Sources said Mr Saliba told him he should be picking on someone his own size and not a woman. It was his turn to be punched, suffering slight injuries.

In yesterday’s arraignment, Mr Balzan admitted to slightly injuring both of them. Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit handed down a two-year jail term suspended for four years and ordered Mr Balzan to stay away from Ms Miljanic. If he fails to do so he will have to pay the sum of €1,000.

Police Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted, lawyer Josè Herrera appeared as defence counsel while lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared parte civile.