Father handed suspended sentence after beating 15-year-old son over school argument<\/p>\n
A 55-year-old father has been handed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years after admitting to repeatedly hitting his 15-year-old son during an argument about school.<\/p>\n
The Libyan national, who lives in Siġġiewi and works as a taxi driver, was arraigned on Thursday, charged with causing his son to fear violence, threatening and insulting him, assaulting him and exceeding the limits of parental discipline.<\/p>\n
The court heard that on 6 October, officers from the Domestic Violence Unit were contacted by two social workers from Child Protection Services, who showed them a video of a man physically assaulting his teenage son.<\/p>\n
The footage allegedly showed the boy lying on a bed while his father repeatedly struck him. The man also appeared to be holding a knife during the incident.<\/p>\n
When questioned by police, the boy explained that the incident had taken place on 4 October following an argument with his father about school. The disagreement escalated, with the father allegedly punching his son several times in the face.<\/p>\n
Investigators were also shown photographs taken approximately a month earlier, showing the boy with visible facial injuries.<\/p>\n
The teenager explained that those injuries had been caused by his father striking him with a broom following another argument.<\/p>\n
The father was subsequently arrested at his residence in Siġġiewi on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
During the proceedings, the court was informed that the man’s wife believed her husband needed help rather than imprisonment, referring to his struggles with alcohol.<\/p>\n
The accused did not contest the validity of his arrest and pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.<\/p>\n
The lawyer representing the victim informed the court that the family did not wish to see the accused receive a harsh punishment if he admitted guilt.<\/p>\n
The prosecution described the case as an isolated incident and argued that, considering the accused’s early guilty plea, a suspended prison sentence would be proportionate.<\/p>\n
The defence similarly argued that the father’s actions had stemmed from an intention to discipline his son, but acknowledged that the situation had escalated beyond acceptable limits.<\/p>\n
After considering the submissions, the court sentenced the man to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.<\/p>\n
Addressing the father directly, the magistrate warned him against using physical punishment as a means of disciplining his child.<\/p>\n
“Discipline with hitting is counterproductive,” the magistrate told him.<\/p>\n
Inspector Audrey Micallef prosecuted.<\/p>\n
Lawyers Franco Debono and Fleur Abela represented the accused, while lawyer Herman Mula appeared for the victim.<\/p>\n
Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided over the sitting.<\/p>\n