On 4 July 2001, Salvu Gauci was condemned to 20 years in prison for the murder of Anna Kok. Gauci stabbed Ms Kok, who died as a result of the injuries she sustained.

Gauci appealed the court’s decision claiming an irregularity in the proceedings influenced the verdict. He also said he was misjudged on the facts of the case.

After re-examining the facts, the court presided over by Chief Justice Vincent Degaetano, Mr Justice Joseph Filletti and Mr Justice David Scicluna, ruled Gauci was not guilty of murder.

Ms Kok died 40 days after Gauci had stabbed her. The court reduced the man’s sentence to 19 years after finding him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm followed by death. This shows that Gauci did not intend to kill Ms Kok, but she still died as a result of the injuries he himself had caused.