A man was yesterday charged with the attempted murder of his former girlfriend after he allegedly slashed her face and neck.

Noel Calleja, 31, of Sta Venera, is pleading not guilty to trying to kill the girl on July 10. Defence lawyer Josè Herrera told Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna that the charge of attempted murder would probably have been reduced to grievous bodily harm if plea bargaining was possible at the lower courts, taking into consideration the circumstances of the case.

Echoing arguments made by Nationalist backbencher and MP Franco Debono on Monday, Dr Herrera said that, at present, plea bargaining was not possible in the Magistrates’ Court and that if made available, cases would be processed faster.

Mr Calleja was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Jesmond Micallef prosecuted.

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