The Malta Independent 3 July 2025, Thursday
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Court: Attempted Murder charge changed to one of serious injury

Malta Independent Tuesday, 24 April 2012, 00:00 Last update: about 12 years ago

An attempted murder charge against Sandro Chetcuti was yesterday changed to the lesser charge of attempted serious injury on the director general of the GRTU, Vince Farrugia, after several hearings of the compilation of evidence in which the court heard the testimony of various doctors.

Mr Chetcuti, a property developer, attacked Mr Farrugia on 11 March, 2010. He is also charged with exceeding the limits of provocation, threatening Mr Farrugia with death, and disturbing the peace.

The court yesterday heard the evidence of Marie Claire Farrugia, Mr Farrugia’s daughter, who came from London to testify.

She said that when she came to Malta two days after the attack on her father, she was very concerned about her father’s condition. He was in great pain and had various injuries on his body. Dr Farrugia is a consultant in paediatrics in Chelsea. When she arrived in Malta her father had already been released from hospital. She found him in bed, in great pain on the left side of his chest, and finding it difficult to breathe.

Dr Farrugia testified that she does not know the accused, Sandro Chetcuti. She knew of her father’s ordeal because he had told her and two days later she came to Malta. Her work had prevented her from coming earlier. She was very concerned at her father’s condition and suspected he was suffering from fractures.

She said she knew consultant Anthony Samuel but when shown SMS contacts she had with him, she said she did not remember sending them. Defence lawyer Manwel Mallia said mobile phone companies had verified the exchanges of SMSs and Dr Farrugia said she may have included him in group SMSs she had sent. She had known consultant Samuel for the last 15 years, but had not contacted him about her father’s case.

The prosecution concluded its case, with the court declaring that the charge should be reduced from one of attempted murder to one of attempted serious injury.

The case continues on 25 June. Lawyers Jean Carl Farrugia, Stephen Tonna Lowell and Kris Busietta are appearing for Mr Farrugia.

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