Santa Venera man 'headbutted woman who refused sex'

A 22-year-old man has been handed a suspended sentence and a driving ban after he admitted to headbutting a woman who rebuffed his sexual advances.

Antoine Ellul, from St. Venera, was arraigned under arrest before magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, accused of grievous bodily harm, driving without a licence and insurance cover, disobeying police orders and breaching the peace.

The incident took place in Gzira on August 20.  

In his police statement, Ellul had only said that he had argued with the victim, but the woman had released a more detailed statement, explaining that he had head-butted her face as they sat on the back seat of his car, after she had refused to have sex with him.

Police investigating the woman's allegations also found that he had been driving despite his licence having been revoked for numerous driving violations.

Lawyer Victor Bugeja entered a guilty plea on Ellul's behalf.

The court imposed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, together with a supervision order and a 12 month driving ban.

Inspector Mark Mercieca prosecuted.