Updated – 'He’s going to kill us': Son's chilling words as father faces court

Court proceedings have begun against a father accused of attempting to murder his two children in a case that has shocked the country, as harrowing testimony emerged about the events leading up to the alleged attack and the subsequent search that led police to White Rocks.

The accused, whose identity cannot be published due to a court order, is facing charges of attempting to murder his son and daughter, or at the very least placing their lives in clear danger by carrying out acts intended to lead to the execution of the crime.

He is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to both children without intent to kill, resulting in serious injuries. Prosecutors told the court that the offences were aggravated because they were allegedly committed against his own children, who are minors and vulnerable persons, and because an irregular weapon was allegedly used.

Further charges include illegally arresting, detaining or sequestering both children against their will and without lawful authority. The prosecution also argued that these offences were aggravated because the children were allegedly threatened with death and because they are the man’s direct descendants.

Testifying in court, Inspector Kurt Colombo Zahra outlined the sequence of events and the evidence gathered so far. He said the police were first alerted after a woman found a distressed young girl walking alone in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. The child, visibly disoriented and crying, reportedly told her: “My dad tried to kill me, he killed my brother, I managed to escape.”

The girl’s mother, who works as a nurse at Mater Dei Hospital, was contacted and later gave a formal statement to police at St Julian’s police station. Given the gravity of the allegations, particularly the claim that the boy had been killed, police immediately launched a search operation.

Acting first on information provided by the mother, officers checked an area where the family had previously gone for barbecues, but the children were not there. Investigators later tracked the accused’s mobile phone, which had connected to a tower in Madliena covering the coastal stretch towards White Rocks. Search efforts were then concentrated in the surrounding area, including near Splash & Fun Water Park.

The search eventually led officers to White Rocks, where the boy was found inside a room, almost unconscious, covered in blood and in critical condition. Police observations at the scene revealed significant bloodstains on nearby rocks and along a wall, including one stain said to resemble the shape of a head. The crime scene extended beyond the room to the exterior and the rear area where the accused’s van was parked. There, officers found a rope tied from the back of the vehicle to the driver’s side, forming a loop, as well as fresh blood stains. A hinge and three mobile phones were also recovered from the area.

The inspector told the court that the daughter had explained to police that she and her brother had first gone bowling with their father before later eating at a fast food restaurant. She allegedly said the food tasted bitter, but when she complained, her father told her: “If you love me, you will eat all your food.”

CCTV footage from McDonald’s was also examined in court. According to the inspector, the accused is seen carrying a tray of food, turning towards a corner where he appears to tamper with its contents, and then returning to the children to give them the food.

The accused later admitted to investigators that he had put sleeping pills in the children’s food while they were eating, allegedly intending to make them fall asleep so he could show their mother that they were resting with him. The inspector also referred to Facebook posts made shortly before and during the outing, including one posted around 25 minutes before he picked up the children, reading: “Those who cause family problems should not find peace.” In another post made while the children were eating, he allegedly wrote that he had been threatened by the mother’s partner.

According to the daughter’s version, when the violence began she bit her father in an effort to escape, while her brother shouted to her: “Run, run, he’s going to kill us.”

The court also heard the accused’s account to police. He claimed the children had fallen from the vehicle and sustained their injuries, denying that he struck the boy with stones. He said the girl had kicked him while trying to free her brother. He further claimed he then went towards the sea and attempted to jump, before later changing out of his wet clothes in a nearby caravan. Police said he also stole clothes from people living in caravans in the area, where his identification documents were later recovered.

A medical examination found the accused had abrasions consistent with having jumped from a height of about one-and-a-half storeys. He was eventually located on 10 March near kiosks in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, injured and unwell, after a police sergeant approached a man matching his description. He was later taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where an arrest warrant was issued.

The court also heard that while hiding in a caravan, the accused wrote what appeared to be a detailed suicide note, addressing his estranged wife and children, reflecting on what he described as a once “peaceful, united family.”

Proceedings continue, with the prosecution insisting that the children should testify as soon as possible due to fears of possible evidence tampering. However, while the daughter is currently living with her mother, the court ruled she must remain there as a traumatised child, despite defence claims that she could be influenced. The son, meanwhile, has been declared unfit to testify at this stage.

In the afternoon session, further testimony largely confirmed the evidence already heard while adding additional details from the police investigation. Inspector Christian Xuereb said the boy was in a very critical condition when he was found at White Rocks and had begun shaking. Police officers who took part in the search operation also described the discovery of bloodstains at the scene and inside the accused’s van, where the daughter’s pink mobile phone was recovered.

Police Constable Gary Scerri testified that he later recognised the accused near the kiosks in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. The officer said he followed him discreetly before approaching and confirming his identity. The accused was found with visible injuries and in possession of a black wallet containing €219 in cash and several photographs. Wet clothing and his identification documents were later found in nearby caravans.

The court also heard that the woman who had found the girl had reassured her that she was “in safe hands”, only for the child to repeatedly reply: “My father killed my brother.” The inspector also testified that the accused’s brother had received a video call shortly after one of the Facebook posts, during which he noticed red marks on the accused’s face. During the call, the accused allegedly told him he had “done something bad”, which the brother interpreted as an indication that he intended to take his own life. The brother also told investigators that the accused had been under strain over his estranged wife’s new relationship. 

The inspector also testified regarding the father’s statement. He explained that when the accused was informed that his son had survived, he broke down in tears and asked to see him. The inspector said that the accused had believed his son had died, which is why he attempted to take his own life. During interrogation, the accused insisted that he had never touched the girl and added that he had begun to notice a change in the children’s behaviour towards him.

The accused further claimed that, a few weeks prior, he had allegedly been threatened by his estranged wife, who told him that her partner “would deal with him”. In this regard, the inspector confirmed that the accused had filed a report against the woman with the domestic violence unit.

The next sitting will be held on 24 April at 9.30am. 

 

 

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