Man charged with hitting Malian with a shovel

Alan Harmsworth was today granted bail after pleading not guilty to grievously injuring a Malian national who works as a garbage collector in Marsa.

Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi explained how yesterday morning the accused was involved in a heated discussion with Bakare Tesigue over the vehicle of the accused.

The argument, which took place at Race Course Street, Marsa escalated and during the brawl 36-year-old Harmsworth hit the victim with a shovel.

Both men suffered injuries in the fight, with Tesigue being taken to the Qormi Health Centre where doctors certified his injuries as grievous. Harmsworth also received medical treatment for the injuries he sustained.

Defence lawyer Joe Giglio argued that the accused cannot be kept away from the site of the incident as he looks after horses and trains them.

Witnesses of the incident also reside in the same street, however these have already released statements to the police, the lawyer said.

The police, who were not aware that Harmsworth kept horses at Race Course Street, did not object to bail but emphasised that the accused is not to set foot in a particular fodder shop in Marsa, where the witnesses are known to hang around.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella heard how the victim, BakareTesigue, is expected to be charged over the brawl in the coming days. 

Harmsworth was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.