A 15-year-old student was this afternoon granted bail after being charged with attacking his mother with a knife.

The boy was however back in court a short while later for allegedly threatening his mother. He is due to sit for his O-Levels shortly.

The minor, whose name cannot be published by court order, had just told the court that he was willing to receive the necessary treatment to overcome his problems, including by attending anger management sessions.

Earlier, he denied all charges in connection with a domestic violence incident yesterday afternoon at his mother's house in Marsascala. The mother was slightly injured. The boy absconded from the balcony, only to be arrested a short while later.

The court this afternoon heard that the 38-year-old mother was willing to accept him back, and so granted him bail against a number of conditions. He was also placed under a temporary supervision order and a treatment order.

The issue was seemingly resolved but the mother returned to the court room about 15 minutes later, telling the Magistrate that she did not want her son back home.

“He has just threatened me after I refused to give him money saying one day or another he would find the chance the carry out his plan to kill me. I cannot take him back, even if I have to spend the night behind bars,” the sobbing mother told the court.

On his part, the defendant denied making such threats and said he had asked for money to pay back a friend of his. 

Following lengthy arrangements to find him temporary shelter, the court revised its earlier decision and sent the minor to an adolescents’ home.

“This evening and in the coming days you will be residing in this home. You must follow its rules otherwise you might end in jail for breaching the bail conditions,” the Magistrate warned him.

Lawyer Peter Fenech was defence counsel while police inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted.