Woman stabs neighbour in lovers’ spat

Two Qormi neighbours involved in a dispute over a former lover were today granted bail after pleading not guilty to attacking and seriously injuring each other.  

Prosecuting inspector Roderick Agius told the court that the two women, Wendy Gauci and Ramona Magri, have been previously involved in argument and have also exchanged threatening text messages.

The dispute however reached boiling point on Thursday as one of the women, Ramona Magri, allegedly stabbed Wendy Gauci in her hand with a penknife.

Standing in court with a heavily bandaged hand, Gauci told the court that she suffered the injuries as she tried to block Magri from stabbing her in the chest. Franco Debono, representing Magri, told the court that his client had acted in self-defence because of Magri’s attacks.

Gauci, a self-employed hairdresser, stood accused of grievously injuring Magri, of breaching public peace, of assaulting Magri, and of driving dangerously. She pleaded not guilty.

On her part, Magri denied carrying out the attempted murder and seriously injuring Gauci, of being in the illegal possession of a penknife, of damaging Gauci’s vehicle, of breaching public peace, and of driving dangerously.

The court heard that the two women used to live in the same apartment block and that there had been an ongoing dispute over a man. However, in an effort to avoid further trouble, the court heard that Gauci moved out of her apartment.

In submissions for bail, lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, representing Gauci, told the court that if the accused are not granted bail, they would end up living in the same cell block in prison.

In its decree, the court noted that there are two conflicting versions of events with each woman claiming to have acted in self-defence. Presiding Magistrate Carol Peralta also took into account the fact that Gauci had moved away.

The court upheld application for bail and granted bail to both Gauci and Magri against a personal guarantee of €1,000 and €3,000 respectively.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi represented Wendy Gauci, while Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri represented  Ramona Magri.

Inspector Roderick Agius prosecuted.