After he admitted stabbing another man during a fight in Paceville, a Libyan man was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two-and-half years.

Nagib Osta, 19, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to Elhadi Elmabruk A. Turki with a knife some time between 20 and 21 August, in St George’s Road, St Julian’s. He also admitted being in possession of an unlicensed knife and breaching the peace by shouting and fighting.

The young man’s defence attorney Dr Leslie Cuschieri told the court that his client admitted he had been part of a fight involving several people. Osta said that he himself had been injured in the incident and presented a doctor’s certificate listing his two injuries – one to his right arm and another under his eye.

Presiding magistrate Lawrence Quintano sentenced the young man to an 18-month jail term, suspended for two-and-a-half years, and warned him that he will have to actually serve the 18 months in prison if he commits another crime during the period.

Inspectors Mario Tonna and Martin Sammut prosecuted.