Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1512734
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 6 DECEMBER 2023 NEWS NEWS Cocaine-fuelled Samurai sword assault, 'he thought he saw the devil' A man accused of nearly killing his friend with a Samurai sword during a six-day cocaine bender had told police he thought his friend was the devil. The case against Josef Grech, 33 from Bormla, continued on Tuesday in front of Magistrate Gabriella Vella. Grech is being charged with grievously injur- ing his friend, Marco Rapinett, on Saturday 11 November. He is also being charged with attack- ing and threatening the man, and also with recidivism. According to Inspector Paul Camilleri, Rapinett's arm was covered in blood when he went to the Bormla police station asking for help. He told police that he was assaulted by Grech, with this admission captured on police body cam. Rapinett later fell uncon- scious and was taken to hos- pital for treatment. He was re- leased days later and gave the police more details about the incident. According to Camilleri, the victim said he had been tak- ing cocaine with the accused, who at one point became para- noid and attacked him with the sword. Eventually, the police officers went to arrest Grech, and found him sitting on the doorstep of his house. Grech told the police that he had mistaken his friend for the devil. "I thought him the devil, I thought him the devil," he re- peated. Grech was also taken to hos- pital, with the police suspecting intoxication. When he was re- leased for questioning, he chose not to answer any questions. Rapinett told the court that he had been taking cocaine with the accused for a week be- fore the incident. The two have known each other since birth, with Rapinett assuming that Grech did not realise what he was doing at the time of the in- cident. "He absolutely, one hundred percent, did not know what he was doing or that he hit me with the sword," Rapinett told the court. At the end of the hearing, the accused was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €7,000. Inspector Paul Camilleri was assisted by prosecutor Cynthia Tomasuolo from the Attorney General's Office. Lawyers Fran- co Debono and Marion Camill- eri assisted Josef Grech. 'He saw the devil', police say of Samurai-sword attack in cocaine bender THE Institute of Tourism Stud- ies (ITS) has celebrated the grad- uation of approximately 300 stu- dents, ranging from Foundation to Master's Degree level. Graduates included a first cohort from the Bachelor of Science in Diving Safety Man- agement, the only programme of its kind in the world. The graduation ceremony was attended by the Minister for Tourism, academic staff, administrative staff, graduates and their proud guests. The Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chairperson, and Min- ister for Tourism Claayton Bar- tolo addressed the graduates, emphasising the importance of their accomplishments and the significant roles they are poised to play in shaping the future of the tourism and hospitality in- dustry. In a joint statement, ITS CEO Pierre Fenech and Deputy Chairperson Michelle Mus- cat Portelli, congratulated the graduates and wished them success in their future. Fenech and Muscat Portel- li both reflected not only on the challenges overcome but on the remarkable milestones reached. "From obtaining outstanding audit results, positioning our- selves for self-accreditation, to the establishment of interna- tional campuses and ground- breaking collaborations, our collective journey signifies re- silience, innovation, and global recognition," they said. Bartolo said these students are the best ambassadors Mal- ta can have in the tourism and hospitality industry. "These graduates have the required skills for this industry. Apart from their skills that go beyond culinary arts and administra- tive, they have the potential to be an example to anyone join- ing this industry or future pro- spective students," he said. ITS Graduation 2023 marks milestone for BSc in Diving Safety Management Tourism minister Clayton Bartolo