A magistrate today rapped the defence and prosecution in the case of Kenneth Gafa, who stands charged with murdering his former partner two years ago, telling them he was fed up of their trying to fight for media attention in the court room.

Mr Gafa’s lawyers, Giannella de Marco and Steve Tonna Lowell told Magistrate Anthony Vella that their client could not afford the bail deposit of €14,000 so he had already spent four months inside.

This was 10 days over the previous 20-month limit. They claimed that there were a number of judgements from the Superior Courts saying this was the limit and asked for the bail bond to be lowered.

The prosecution then called witness Pauline Fabri who testified that Mr Gafa called her while he was in prison.

Dr de Marco claimed that the prosecution had brought their witness to testify capriciously.

Prosecutor Chris Pullicino took offense and said this was definitely not the case.

Arguments between the two sides ensued until they were stopped by Magistrate Vella who said procedure had to be followed and the prosecution and defence had to cooperate with each another.