A Gozitan hot dog seller told a magistrate yesterday that if the police wanted to ensure he was home during his curfew he would rather give them the house key as he would sleep through anything.

Franky Cini, 30 from Żebbuġ stands charged with seriously injuring Dane Williams in Mistra Bay last Saturday, holding him against his will, illegally carrying a knife and relapsing.

The stabbing victim turned up in court wearing a blue hospital gown on Monday when Mr Cini was arraigned. He was expected to testify on Tuesday but did not turn up and the court gave the police a day to trace him. However, Mr Williams could not be found. Police Inspector Michael Mallia informed the court yesterday that an exhaustive search was conducted but to no avail. He said the evidence of the Englishman was crucial to the case because the accused would not speak and neither would another two men who were in the car when the stabbing occurred.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit granted Cini bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €25,000.

When listing the conditions of his release, the magistrate told the accused that he would have to be at home by 10 p.m. adding that the police would check on him.

At that point a concerned-looking Mr Cini said that he might as well give officers the house key because he would sleep through and would not know somebody would be knocking on his door if they went round to check.

In a light hearted moment, defence lawyer Steve Tonna Lowell asked his client whether his hot dogs were any good and Mr Cini exclaimed: “Of course.”

Mr Cini said that Mr Williams had to leave the country and that he would definitely not go to England because he would have trouble there too. He added that Mr Williams was probably asleep at his house and that he changed his name almost every day.

Mr Mallia warned him to watch what he was saying since he had refused to answer any questions during police investigations.

In a parting comment, the magistrate warned Mr Cini to be careful because if he breached bail conditions he would have to spend a very long time selling hot dogs to raise the money.

The case continues.