Three charged over fight in Birżebbuġa Labour club
A man was injured and is still receiving hospital treatment
Two siblings and their sister’s boyfriend were yesterday charged over a fight at the Labour Party club in Birżebbuġa on Tuesday.
Shylon Mangion, 22, from Fgura, an air conditioner installer, his brother, Brian Mangion, 31, also from Fgura, who is employed at a gaming parlour, and their sister’s boyfriend, Wayne Barbara, 29, from Marsascala, who also installs air conditioners, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Police inspector Doriette Cuschieri explained how the police received a report about an argument at the Labour Party club in Birżebbuġa on
Tuesday. But, by the time the police arrived, the situation had calmed down and everyone had gone home.
Hours later, another report came in that there was a fight at the club involving the accused and Carmelo Mangion, father of the siblings, who was seriously injured in the altercation. He is still receiving treatment at Mater Dei Hospital.
The police were told that the defendants assaulted the barman and Carmelo Mangion intervened to stop the fight but it went out of control.
During their interrogation, they admitted that they were involved in the fight, the inspector said.
She said that criminal action is expected to also be taken against the alleged victims.
The defence requested bail, insisting that the accused were only defending Carmelo Mangion from an assault.
The prosecution objected since the alleged victims are still due to testify and there is fear that they could tamper with the evidence.
Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi granted them bail against an
€8,000 deposit and a €22,000 personal guarantee.
They were ordered to stay away from Birżebbuġa, sign the bail book three times a week and observe a curfew.
The magistrate also issued a protection order in favour of the alleged victims. He warned the defendants they were only granted bail so they would not lose their jobs. He warned them to observe the bail conditions religiously.
Lawyer Darlene Grima from the attorney general’s office and police inspector Doriette Cuschieri prosecuted.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Adriana Zammit were defence counsel.