A 34-year-old man was yesterday jailed for six months after he pleaded guilty to stabbing another man with a penknife for no apparent reason.

Kevin Debono had been originally charged with seriously injuring Carmel Hartley when he stabbed him at Ta’ Cassia in Qawra on 25 October 2002.

The court, presided over by magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, heard how Mr Hartley was having a drink by the bar when he heard Mr Debono swear at him and stab him for no reason.

The stab wound, on Mr Hartley’s left side, was two centimetres deep and almost penetrated his abdominal cavity.

However, since the knife had not penetrated the cavity the charges were changed to slight injuries.

Police Inspector Paul Bond prosecuted and Dr José Herrera appeared for Mr Debono.