Suspended jail term in crane attack case

The brother of a man who allegedly drove a crane into his matrimonial home where his estranged wife and daughter were, was yesterday given a suspended jail term for his part in the crime.

Paul Axisa, 50, of Qormi, was handed down a three-month jail term suspended for one year after Magistrate Antonio Mizzi found him guilty of trying to seriously injure his 18-year-old niece Jeanelle, who left the house after her father, Joseph, 48, allegedly drove the crane into the building on April 18 at about 5 p.m.

He was also found guilty of driving dangerously in her direction, slightly injuring her in an argument that ensued and disobeying police orders. Joseph Axisa had arrived home on the day of the incident to find that his estranged wife had managed to secure an eviction order from the Family Court. The lock of the front door had also been changed, police sources said.

He allegedly flew into a rage, jumped into his mobile crane and began to ram the windows and main door of the modest house in Feniċi Street, Mosta, causing substantial damage to the property. His case is still pending.

Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for Paul Axisa.