A pensioner has gone on trial accused of attempting to murder his wife by repeatedly striking her with a hammer while she slept at their Mellieħa home following an argument over money.

On Tuesday, 68-year-old Emanuel Borg is facing charges of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm to his wife. If found guilty of attempted murder, he faces a prison sentence of between eight and 40 years, while the grievous bodily harm charge carries a punishment of between six and 12 years.

The court heard that the alleged attack stemmed from longstanding tensions between the couple. According to the prosecution, the argument escalated after Borg allegedly asked his wife to lend him €300. When she refused, the disagreement intensified, with the prosecution arguing that the accused harboured resentment and later decided to act on it.

On 11 November 2019, the couple were at their home in Mellieħa. After lunch, the victim went to lie down in the bedroom and fell asleep.

It was then, the prosecution alleges, that Emanuel Borg entered the room armed with a hammer and repeatedly struck his sleeping wife on the head and face.

Following the alleged assault, Borg phoned emergency services, informing them that he had badly beaten his wife and that she was unconscious. Medical personnel responding to the call found the woman in a critical condition.

Police officers who arrived at the scene were allegedly told by Borg to arrest him, after he admitted he had attacked his wife. The victim was later found to have suffered serious injuries to her face and brain, which prosecutors described as life-threatening.

The prosecution is being led by lawyer Kevin Valletta and Justine Brincat on behalf of the Attorney General, while lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Lennox Vella are representing the accused.