An inspector testifying today in the case against 33-year-old Djibril Ganiou, the Togolese man who was arrested by the police over the death of his partner, 41-year-old Caroline Magri, said that he saw that Mrs Magri’s throat was cut from one side to the other.

Caroline Magri was found dead in an apartment in Ta' Giorni last September. Ganiou is being charged with her murder.

Inspector Matthew Spagnol told the court today that he had received a call from a Sergeant informing him about the murder. He went on site and saw the woman lying across a bed, with her throat slashed.

He explained that three family members had also come on site. Another Sergeant told him that the accused, together with Mrs Magri would go to the depot and sign the bail book together, due to a pending case.

The court heard how in the past, both the accused and the victim were together brought before the courts regarding a fight in Floriana involving two other African nationals. In addition, the court also heard how the accused was arrested in October 2015 following a report by Mrs Magri.

A slight confusion occurred in the courts as the case was about to start, when the magistrate was informed that the accused’s lawyer, Giannella de Marco, stopped representing him and was not present as he did not pay his legal fees. As such, legal aid attorney Joseph Ellis was appointed to his defence.

A representative of Melita also presented a documentation regarding calls made etc from his mobile phone.

Inspector Keith Arnaud prosecuting and the case is being heard before Magistrate Claire-Louise Stafrace.