Man who smashed beer glass in barman’s face sentenced to five years in prison

A man was jailed for five years yesterday after being found guilty of having grievously injured another man by smashing a beer glass in his face in a bar in Qawra last year.

Srdan Simic, a 24-year old from Serbia, faced criminal proceedings over the episode which had taken place at the Munchies Bar shortly after midnight, on 1 April 2017.

The barman, Ryan Magro, a 29year old man from Mellieħa, ended up battling to save his eyesight.

During the proceedings, the victim had taken the witness to say how on that fateful evening he had approached a foreign man who was reportedly bothering other customers. This man, a friend of the accused, had been asked to leave the bar. The two customers had shortly left but soon after, Simic had walked back inside and smashed a pint glass in the barman’s face.

The victim was rushed to Mater Dei where he was given emergency treatment in a bid to save his eyesight.

A court-appointed medical expert testified that the victim had suffered “a penetrating eye injury, resulting in a piece of glass foreign body entering the left eye,” apart from various lacerations on his face

The evidence left no doubt that the accused had hit the barman on the face, causing a permanent disability to his eye which suf- fered some 20-30% damages.

The accused had declared that he had “acted upon impulse” when some commotion broke out at the bar, flinging his beer mug at the first person in sight and acting out of fear.

The accused had admitted to his wrongdoing, immediately showing remorse for what he had done and apologizing to the victim.

When meting out punishment, the court, presided over by magistrate Joseph Mifsud, observed that besides reflecting the gravity of the offences, punishment was to serve as a deterrent not only to the accused but also to others who could possibly commit such wrongdoing “posing such danger not only to themselves but also to innocent third parties.”

The court declared the accused guilty, handing down a five-year effective jail term, and ordering him to pay court expert expenses of €745.64.

Moreover, the court urged Immigration Authorities to employ their powers to deport the accused once his jail term had been served.

The accused gave notice of appeal.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto was defence counsel. Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared in parte civile for the victim.