Ten days after a court order, an engineer suspected of being the Mosta animal killer has still not been seen by a psychiatrist.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia had ordered that Nicholas Grech, 37, from Mosta, be examined by a psychiatrist in view of the fact that in other cases in the past he had been acquitted due to mental illness.

Mr Grech is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty and killing domesticated animals between October 2011 and February 3 of this year.

He was 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 Speranza chapel illegally.

Police Inspector Edmond Cuschieri informed Magistrate Carol Peralta yesterday that the psychiatric assessment and report were not done yet.

Defence lawyer Martin Fenech added that not only was the report not completed yet but his client had also informed him that the psychiatrist, George Debono, had not even seen him.

What happens if it results that he is mentally fit

Magistrate Peralta said it was not right the accused was kept under arrest at Mount Carmel Hospital’s forensic unit but had not yet been examined. “What happens if it results that he is mentally fit,” the magistrate asked.

The magistrate ordered that Dr Debono be made aware of the fact that he had to examine the accused and draw up a report. The report had to be conclusive, exhaustive and listed the facts about any previous behaviour.

Magistrate Peralta remarked that it would have been more ideal had the psychiatrists, who had previously treated the accused, drawn up the report themselves because it was through their knowledge on the case that they could say where this person was heading.

The sitting was put off to April 30.