Man gets off with suspended sentence as time heals all wounds
A man who hit the partner of his estranged wife with a sickle almost 12 years ago, was convicted of the crime today but got off with a two-year suspended sentence after the court heard how the injuries were not serious and the victim had renounced the case.
The case took place in the evening of July 14, 2000 near Sirens waterpolo pitch in St Paul's Bay..
Andrew Sammut was accused of having injured Martin Vella by hitting him several times on the head and face with a sickle.
The incident happened after an argument between the accused and his wife, when the accused took his children to their mother and found her partner waiting in a car outside the house.
In its judgement, the court noted that now that the separation had taken place, the antagonism between the accused and the victim had calmed down to the extent that even the former wife had 'forgotten' that the two had fought each other.
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13 Comments
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Joe Fenech
Feb 22nd, 19:02
"two-year suspended sentence after the court heard how the injuries were not serious "
FOR .... SAKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr F J Brincat
Feb 22nd, 18:04
Tikber u tinsa hux...
Karl von Brockdorff
Feb 22nd, 17:48
He hit him several times in the head with a sickle and only managed 'not serious' injuries?
Whats this guy made of?!
Mr Derek Steele
Feb 22nd, 17:11
I am absolutely amazed,it has the makings of a comedy sketch on a t.v. satire show!!
I don't like the use of the phrase "only in Malta",but it is most appropriate in this instance.
Toni Borg
Feb 22nd, 17:08
That's justice done!
Let the case rest idle for 12 years until almost everyone forgets it ever happened!
Viva il-gustizzja!
Alfred Grech
Feb 22nd, 16:06
I'm sure the man charged spent 12 years of hell waiting for this verdict.
Emma Xerri
Feb 22nd, 16:05
Justice delayed is justice denied.
And another thing. When one is charged with an offense, isn't it the Police or Prosecutor that brings the charges? Then how can anyone, including the victim, decide to drop the case, it is either that the laws of the land were broken or they weren't? The victim has a right to forgive the assault but it does not mean that the Police and the Court have to do the same. So in other words if a crime or assault is committed and the parties forget about it because say they have amnesia, then that is the same as if it had never happened and the law is satisfied.
Ġ. Agius
Feb 22nd, 15:57
Well at least the perpetrator showed some creativity. Instead of the tried, tested and tired firearm or knife, he used the sickle.
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Feb 22nd, 15:16
"Hit him with a sickle several times on the head and face" but the court considered that the injuries were not serious.
I think it is the court that cannot be serious.
A. Tabone
Feb 22nd, 15:07
12 il-sena ta tafu x qed tghidu? Din il-gustizzja li andna fil-pajjiz.
A. E. ABELA
Feb 22nd, 14:59
isn't there a Guinness book of records for court delays, cause our court would surely win the award.
B Attard
Feb 22nd, 14:51
12-i; sena ta ansjeta u taqtigh il-qalb.Qrati maltin mixjin fuq ir-rubini.
Rodney Xerri
Feb 22nd, 14:35
This shows that after 12 years, even the victim gets fed up of going to court!! Why did this case have to take 12 years to reach a verdict?