Man Put On Probation For Stabbing His Friend Outside Gżira’s Black Gold Saloon
A man has been put on three-year probation after a court found him guilty of stabbing his friend while in a drunken stupor outside the popular Black Gold Saloon in Gżira last year.
As reported by Times of Malta, the courts heard how James Manfrè, 28, had parked outside Black Gold on 10th January 2021, entered the bar and caused a commotion, fighting with his girlfriend and bothering customers.
When Manfrè was told to leave the bar, he grabbed a knife from his car and stabbed his friend Luca Emanuel Corito.
Corito testified that Manfrè slashed at him twice, first cutting his finger and then his arms, which he had raised to protect himself from a second lunge.
He was taken to the Floriana health centre, where doctors certified that he had suffered a deep laceration 5cm in length along the left upper forearm, a deep laceration 6cm in length along the left upper arm and a 3cm superficial laceration on the right fourth finger.
After speaking to Corito, police arrested Manfrè at his Msida home and charged him with causing grievous injuries using a sharp instrument, breaching the peace and violating bail conditions in a separate case.
However, last August, Corito told the courts that he and Manfrè had kissed and made up and that he had no interest in pursuing the case.
Magistrate Gabriella Vella took into account Corito’s statement, as well as testimony by Caritas officials who said Manfrè had long-standing addiction and psychological problems. A probation officer also advised the court that Manfrè should be given psychiatric help and reestablish contact with Caritas.
Vella sentenced Manfrè to three years of probation and informed him that he will lose €1,000 of his bail money he had deposited as part of another case and will have to fork out that amount of money again to remain out on bail.
He was also placed under a five-year treatment order
Lawyers Franco Debono and Francesca Zarb represented Manfrè in the case.
What do you make of this case and the court’s decision?
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