A man currently facing criminal action over the attempted murder of a woman in a violent mugging in St Julian’s almost two years ago insisted he wants to plead guilty because he “wants all this to be over”.

As the compilation of evidence continued this morning against Rawad Briga Abdelsalam, a 33-year-old Libyan quarry worker charged with the attempted murder which took place in Sqaq Lourdes, St Julian’s early on August 28, 2016, the accused appeared to have had a change of heart.

“I am guilty, I want this to be over. I swear because at the end of the day God will judge me,” said the accused as he waited for his lawyer to turn up.

The man had allegedly attempted to slash the victim’s throat after approaching her and her 33-year old Polish female friend to try to steal their handbags. He was identified from CCTV footage.

Photos of the crime scene had shown blood stains on the pavement as well as splattering of blood on a vehicle parked nearby.

“I am guilty, I do not know the girl, I did not want to hurt her, I had taken a lot of pills, I can hardly remember what happened,” the man protested, prompting Inspector Saviour Baldacchino and Magistrate Doreen Clarke to ask him to consult with his lawyer, Christopher Chircop.

However, the man would not be silenced, continuing to insist that, at the time of the aggression, he had ingested pills and had slept for a whole week. “I don’t remember a thing,” the accused continued, his manner denoting his agitation.

After consultation between the accused and his lawyer, the parties informed the court that any change in plea would only be made at a later stage once the issue had been properly discussed with the accused’s defence counsel.

Yet, as the sitting proceeded, the accused once again interrupted, insisting “Magistrate I want you to know that this woman I do not know her…” only to be silenced by the magistrate who pointed out that defence submissions were to be dealt with at a later stage.

The case continues in March.