A father and son who are facing separate proceedings for allegedly assaulting Enemalta officials during a surprise inspection over a tampered smart meter were today back in court over their involvement in a brawl last August during the Hamrun feast celebrations.
Carmel Salerno, 49, unemployed, from Pieta and his son Fabrizio, a 24-year-old business owner from Hamrun, appeared before Magistrate Doreen Clarke charged with injuring four men during a brawl outside the Godfather Bar in Hamrun last August 10 between 4 and 6pm.
They stand accused with seriously injuring Charlton Agius and with slightly injuring Ian Zammit and Wayne Falzon. Carmel Salerno alone also stands changed with attempting to seriously injure Mr Zammit and Darren Zammit and with being in possession of an unlicensed penknife during the brawl.
The court heard how trouble began a few days before the feast over an argument between Fabrizio Salerno's partner, Raisa Sammut, and Mr Falzon's girlfriend, Denise Schembri whose sister, Louisa, is dating Ian Zammit.
On Sunday, an argument broke out between the Schembri sisters and Ms Sammut over a Facebook post the latter had posted.
Ian Zammit told the court that he was outside the Godfather Bar when Ms Sammut began offending him and then he was assaulted by a group of people, which included the Salerno father and son. He said Carmel Salerno stabbed him five times, four times in his abdomen and once in his thigh.
He said that in hospital, the doctor told him to thank his lucky stars that he was chubby as had he been thin, the penknife blade would have penetrated his vital organs.
Darren Zammit also testified to explain how Carmel Salerno had stabbed him in his head. He also said that in an attempt to defend himself, he ended up in the middle of the road and was hit by a passing vehicle.
Mr Falzon told the court that he was with his girlfriend outside the bar on the outskirts of Hamrun when he was assaulted by the father-and-son, who also ripped a gold chain, worth some €1,500, off his neck.
The Schembri sisters also testified to give their version of the story, with Denise saying she saw Carmel Salerno brandishing a penknife and Louisa Schembri saying how the brawl, involving "at least 10 people", broke out "and all I saw was lots of blood".
The case continues.
Police Inspector Sarah Magri prosecuted. Lawyers David Camilleri and Joseph Gatt appeared for the defendant while lawyer David Gatt appeared parte civile for the alleged victims.