Fight over Lm10 turns into attempted murder case

What began as an argument over €23 turned out to be far more serious after an 18-year-old man was stabbed multiple times in the car park of what used to be Axis night club in Paceville, a court heard yesterday.

The trivial argument on June 24, 2006 started when, according to the prosecution, 23-year-old Johann Montfort, who was 18 at the time, had been reminded by one of the victim’s friends, Christopher Vella, that he owed him Lm10 (€23).

Mr Montfort stands charged with the attempted murder of Joseph Digby who was also 18 at the time.

Taking the witness stand, Police Superintendent Martin Sammut said that Mr Vella had first approached the accused in the Red Square club and sometime afterwards the victim and his friends bought pizza and went to the car park behind Axis nightclub.

The accused went by and began swearing at them and a fight kicked off. The accused drew a pen knife from his pocket and began waving it around.

At that point Mr Digby jumped out to defend his friends and was hit on the elbow, left arm and back.

He was rushed to hospital and operated upon due to the seriousness of the injuries, the policeman said.

According to the accused, he had gone to the car park to urinate and it was the victim and his friends who had started the fight. He pulled his flick knife to defend himself, he said.

The case continues.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused.