Erin Tanti was brought into hospital with fractures and bruises, described as superficial injuries by a consultant general surgeon from Mater Dei Hospital, a court heard today.

The court heard that he suffered fractured ribs, fracture to lumbar vertebra, bruised back and bruised abdominal muscles, not requiring any operations.

Tanti is being accused of murdering 15-year-old, Lisa Maria Zahra, assisting her suicide, defiling her and being in possession of indecent images of the teenager. Zahra was found dead at the bottom of Dingli Cliffs on 19 March 2013. Mr Tanti was found some metres away, dazed but slightly injured. He told police officers that the two had fallen from the cliff.

Dr Angela Sultana, a consultant general surgeon at Mater Dei Hospital, gave her testimony.

Testifying, she said that he entered hospital on 19 March. It was a public holiday and thus she wasn’t present, however he was later placed under her care. “While in the ITU he was fully conscious and alert”. She said that he had a few fractures that would heal on their own and a few bruised muscles.

Dr Sultana first saw Mr Tanti on 20 March, and ordered a CT scan following his complaints of pain in his stomach to check if there were any problems. He was found to have bruising on his abdominal muscles.

He was placed on antibiotics, she said, adding that no operations were needed. On 22 March, he was then transferred to a general ward as he was stable.

“I was on leave on 22 and 23 March”, however her assistant was checking on him and said he had visual hallucinations, and thus a psychiatric consultant was brought in.

She said she thinks he was fit to be sent home on 25 March, however the Psychiatric consultant decided to send him to Mt Carmel Hospital, where he was in fact sent.

Responding to questions during the cross-examination by Dr Michael Sciriha, she said that in order to enter the ITU, certain criteria are required, however sometimes if a bed is available, someone would be allowed there for observation if needed. Dr Sciriha then asked whether if on 19 March the ITU was full or if beds were available, to which she said that she was not there that day and didn't know.

Also testifying, Lucy Giordimaina, Tony Zahra’s partner’s, was with Lisa Maria Zahra (who she knew since she was three) on 19 March, the day of the incident. She considers herself close to Lisa Maria, however never spoke to her about personal issues. She said that Lisa did not want to talk that evening, when usually she would converse about many topics including current affairs.

She said that the only conversation she had with Lisa Maria on the night was when she asked her if she wanted dinner, to which Lisa replied that she was tired and wanted to sleep.

The case will continue on 30 January.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli presiding and Dr Joe Giglio, Giannella de Marco and Steve Tonna Lowell as Parte Civile. Police Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Josric Mifsud prosecuted prosecuting, Defence attorneys were Michael and Lucio Scriha