Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537976
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 30 JULY 2025 COURT A man was granted bail after pleading not guilty to a multiplic- ity of charges, including the invol- untary homicide of Mildred Azzo- pardi, who died after being caught in between two cars in a collision on Sunday. Benjamin Chetcuti, a 23-year- old soldier from Paola, appeared in court on Tuesday and was charged with involuntary homi- cide, involuntarily injuring a man, drink-driving, reckless driving, speeding, driving without insur- ance, as well as committing an of- fence which he was duty-bound to prevent. The man also faces other charg- es pertaining to involuntary dam- age of property. In particular, he was charged with involuntarily damaging the car which he drove, a Subaru Impreza, which belongs to someone else. He was also ac- cused of damaging two other cars as well as two motorcycles. The court was informed the po- lice breathalysed Chetcuti at the scene of the incident, with the lat- ter testing positive. He was arrest- ed and read his rights, as CCTV footage was obtained. After posing a series of ques- tions, defence lawyers represent- ing Chetcuti did not contest the validity of the arrest and request- ed bail. The prosecution objected, citing the serious nature of the offences as well as the risk of tampering with evidence. With respect to the latter, lawyer Franco Debono stated that an in- quiry has taken place and CCTV footage has already been pre- served, so that there was no fear of tampering with evidence. Moreo- ver, it was noted that the accused has a clean criminal record. Bail was granted. Lawyer Darlene Grima and Su- perintendent Nicholas Vella pros- ecuted. Defence lawyers Arthur Azzo- pardi, Franco Debono and Jacob Magri assisted the accused. Soldier granted bail after being charged with involuntary homicide of Mildred Azzopardi THOMAS CILIA tcilia@mediatoday.com.mt Man filmed on TikTok beating partner charged with domestic violence A man was remanded in cus- tody after pleading not guilty to various charges, including slightly injuring his partner, threatening her, illegally de- taining her and causing her to fear that violence would be used against her. The man, a Libyan nation- al residing in Gozo, was also charged with breaching two separate sets of bail conditions and recidivism. The court was informed the Domestic Violence Unit had received an email containing a video which had been circu- lating on 'TikTok' featuring the man beating up a woman in a car. The victim was traced via the car's number plate. Although she initially refused to file a re- port, she later informed a po- lice sergeant that the incident did take place but did not want to report her partner since she had previously done so and for- given him. The defendant was then ar- rested in Gozo, whilst signing the bail book. A report was subsequently filed, with the al- leged victim stating that an ar- gument had erupted on 24 July, with the defendant hitting her and insulting her. The police were also informed that upon arrival at the defend- ant's residence in Gozo, the man forced the woman into the house and hid her keys. During the early hours of the following morning, the woman managed to go to her mother's house. The validity of the arrest was not contested, with bail being requested. The prosecution objected to said request, citing a fear that evidence would be tampered with as well as the criminal re- cord of the accused. Defence lawyer David Bonello however noted that the woman refused to attend the sitting, and that there are various oc- casions where one spends two weeks under arrest only for the alleged victim to choose not to testify at the first sitting. Bail was denied. Inspector Antonello Magri prosecuted. Defence lawyer David Bonello assisted the accused. THOMAS CILIA tcilia@mediatoday.com.mt The accused wearing his t-shirt over his head while being escorted to court (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)