Even though the maximum penalty for voluntary homicide is life in jail, the prosecution had agreed to a maximum jail term of 10 years in view of the fact that Francis Buhagiar, a 73-year-old man from Mosta, had been diagnosed as suffering from impulsivity and paranoia.

Buhagiar was jailed after admitting killing his sister Maria, who was three years his senior. The final argument between the siblings was about burnt toast and a sweatshirt which she had to sew and never did.

Buhagiar appealed against the 10-year-jail term, saying that the court had not given enough weight to the testimony of psychiatrist Joseph Cassar. Dr Cassar had diagnosed Buhagiar as suffering from impulsivity and paranoia. He said Buhagiar that had below average intelligence and always thought badly of people.

Chief justice Vincent de Gaetano, who handed down the appeals judgement, said the criminal court had taken into account all the facts of the case and the reasons which led to Buhagiar killing his sister and therefore confirmed the original judgement.