Three psychiatrists appointed to carry out an examination of the alleged Mosta cat killer have been granted a week’s time extension they requested from Magistrate Carol Peralta.

It emerged in court last month that one of the three psychiatrists originally appointed to examine the alleged cat killer, Joe Pisani, died years ago and nobody had informed the magistrate.

The other two psychiatyrists - Peter Muscat and David Cassar were then joined by Ethel Felice.

The court is already in possession of a psychiatric evaluation by independent expert George Debono who testified that the accused had suffered a relapse of mental health issues he had experienced in the past. He was meant to be taking medication but did not at the time the crimes he was charged with were committed.

Nicholas Grech, a 37-year-old engineer from Mosta, who was under psychiatric care, is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty and killing domesticated animals between October 2011 and last February 3.

He is also charged with violating a grave within the ossuary of the Mosta parish church, insulting the Catholic religion and entering the church and crypt of the chapel known as Ta’ l-Isperanza illegally.