As the judge left the court room, the victim’s mother screamed “I curse you! I curse you all!” Her cries were the catalyst for the massive fight that ensued.

The rest of Mr Debattista’s family present lunged at the men on the accused’s bench. This led to an immense fight as the accused’s relatives stood to defend them. The men had to be ushered out from the back door of the court room as the police officers present tried to control the crowd.

The throng of around 30 people, all punching and lashing out, was eventually disentangled. As the people were removed from the court room, one could see the benches had been overturned in the fight. One of the officers involved was injured.

Debattista’s relatives cried as the judgement was being read. The grief they felt manifested itself in anger and they lost their tempers.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Galea Debono called on those involved in the fight to reprimand their behaviour. “This is not the place to shout and scream,” he said. He gave them a good scolding and told each of them to go home. He said they were lucky to have escaped being sent to prison for a month.