Mintoff ‘biographer’ renounces case in attempted murder

Josef Grech of Rabat, 32, founder of a controversial 'Dom Mintoff Foundation', author of a biography of the late premier and known to the police in connection with various cases of fraud, has renounced charges against John Vassallo, 61, and his 25-year-old son Johann Vassallo, both of Dingli, who were accused of attempting to murder him in June 2011.

Chewing on gum, Grech took the witness stand claiming his relationship with Vassallo's niece was not sexual, and that her mother had allowed them to share the same bed at her home.

However, the mother started creating problems for him after he and the girl allegedly caught her flirting with another man on Facebook. "She had also tried flirting with me," the witness claimed.

On the day of the incident, the girl's grandfather called Grech insinuating the girl had ran away from home and went to him. To prove the girl's family wrong, Grech went to look for her in a public garden in Mtarfa. There he met the girl's grandfather and uncle, who chased him with a sickle.

Grech alleged that when the two caught up with him, Johann Vassallo kicked him to the ground while the grandfather tied a white nylon cord around his neck telling him he would tie the other end to the van and drive off. Moments later, police officers arrived on site and calmed the three men down. In the brawl, the witness suffered slight injuries when he was hit with the sickle.

The alleged victim denied knowing the girl was only 16, rejecting claims made by defence lawyer Franco Debono that he had organised a surprise birthday party for the teenager. The defence also claimed the witness was repeatedly spoken to by Vice Squad officers in connection with his liaisons with the teenager.

However in an unexpected turn of events, yesterday Josef Grech informed Magistrate Carol Peralta he was no longer interested in pressing charges against John and Johann Vassallo. The alleged victim told the court he was renouncing to all charges which can be renounced to and is not interested in the continuation of the case. 

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are appearing for the girl's uncle and grandfather.