A man who admitted to seriously injuring his mother was put on probation for three years and was ordered by a Magistrates’ Court to follow one of the programmes offered by the national agency against alcohol and drug abuse, Sedqa.

Vincent Zarb, 43, from Cospicua, pleaded guilty to assaulting his mother on 10 January, seriously injuring her and causing permanent disfigurement to her body.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting his mother on other occasions during the past two years and with breaching the peace.

Handing down his judgement, Magistrate Giovanni Grixti took into consideration the fact that the accused acknowledges he has a serious alcohol problem.

The court ordered that Zarb be placed on probation for three years and that he follows one of the courses offered by Sedqa as soon as possible so that he may be offered all the assistance possible.

Police Inspector Anthony Cassar prosecuted.