Three court-appointed psychiatrists have been given a one week extension to be allowed to review and examine the man charged with a spate of animal killings and crucifixions.

In the last sitting, it emerged that one of the three psychiatrists originally appointed last month had died some seven years ago unbeknown to Magistrate Carol Peralta.

The deceased, Joe Pisani, was replaced by Ethel Felice and will join Peter Muscat and David Cassar in examining Nicholas Grech, a 37-year-old engineer from Mosta, who stands charged with animal cruelty.

He also stands charged with killing domesticated animals between October 2011 and last February 3, violating a grave within the ossuary of the Mosta parish church, insulting the Catholic religion and entering illegally the church and crypt of the chapel known as Ta’ l-Isperanza.

In the last sitting, the court was presented with a psychiatric evaluation report 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 failed to do so when the crimes he was charged with were committed. The case is expected to continue on June 24.