A court this morning appointed radiologist Malcolm Crockford to study contradictory reports by two doctors on the condition of GRTU Director-General Vince Farrugia after he was beaten up last year, and to report to the court.

The decision was taken during the compilation of evidence in the case instituted against Sandro Chetcuti, who stands accused of of the attempted murder of Mr Farrugia.

When the compilation proceedings resumed this morning, the Attorney asked the court to allow him to recall radiologist Anthony Samuel so that he could explain evidence he had given the court.

Defence counsel objected and said this was not correct procedure.

Magistrate  Edwina Grima said that Dr Samuel would not be heard today and asked the attorney general to explain in another sitting why Dr Samuel needed to be recalled, once he had given extensive evidence last July. 

The court then appointed Dr Crockford to examine the medical reports submitted by Dr Samuel and Dr Mario Scerri.

Dr Scerri had told the court that he disagreed with what Dr Samuel had said in his report and insisted that Mr Farrugia did not suffer any fractures in the incident.

Dislocated ribs were not classified as serious but as slight injuries, Dr Scerri said. He also cast doubts as to whether such injuries were the result of the actual incident, saying they could have been caused by a strong cough. 

According to evidence heard in court, Mr Chetcuti violently attacked Mr Farrugia, punching and kicking him even after he fell to the floor following an argument between the two a year ago.

The defence had questioned Dr Samuel’s integrity and accused him of exaggerating the medical results because of his alleged strong ties with the Farrugia family.

When he testified last July, Dr Samuel admitted he knew Mr Farrugia’s wife, daughter and son but flatly denied altering the medical results, adding that everything was documented in the medical imaging department at Mater Dei Hospital.