A 49-year-old father is accused of drugging his two children with sleeping pills and leaving his 12-year-old son with life-threatening head injuries before sending a chilling message to his estranged wife claiming the boy was “in heaven,” a court heard on Wednesday.
The man, whose identity is protected by court order, allegedly attempted to kill his children after spending the evening with them bowling in Paceville and later eating at McDonald’s in the Bay Street Complex.
In court, Police Inspector Kurt Colombo Zahra outlined a disturbing sequence of events during the compilation of evidence. The alleged attack took place at the abandoned White Rocks complex in Pembroke, against the backdrop of a bitter marital breakdown.
The boy was discovered semi-conscious and covered in blood, suffering from severe head injuries, while leaning over a ledge inside one of the buildings. His 10-year-old sister was found nearby on Coast Road by a passing driver, visibly distressed and crying. She reportedly told the woman: “My father killed my brother.”
The girl later explained that the fast food their father gave them had a bitter taste. Police were told the father admitted to lacing their meals with sleeping pills, claiming he wanted them to fall asleep at his residence rather than return to their mother.
According to the child’s account, the father then turned violent, attacking her brother before attempting to grab and bite her. She managed to escape after hearing her brother shout: “Run before he kills you.”
Earlier that evening, the accused allegedly posted a cryptic message on Facebook blaming his estranged wife’s partner and writing: “I’ll do it. Thanks [wife], I’m taking [son] with me.”
As police searched for the children, the man contacted his estranged wife, telling her: “Take the girl, the boy is in heaven.” He also called his brother claiming he had been assaulted, and later told his flatmate he had “screwed up.”
Following a three-day search, police arrested the man near the White Rocks site. He was found limping and told officers he had been staying in an abandoned caravan.
During interrogation, the accused claimed his son’s injuries were the result of a fall while the boy was trying to flee in fear. He admitted he may have bitten his daughter “in a frenzy” but denied any premeditation.
Investigators searching the caravan discovered handwritten notes, including one reading: “I was not thinking and made a big mistake with my dear son… I apologise but I was not myself… it’s the fault of the mum and her lover… it did not have to come to this.”
The court heard the man had ongoing disputes with his estranged wife over access to the children and believed they were growing distant from him. He blamed the situation on his wife and her partner, a personal trainer.
Under cross-examination, Police Inspector Christian Xuereb confirmed there had been no prior reports of violence, and witnesses described the father as having had a good relationship with his children. The court also heard he appeared relieved upon learning that his son had survived.
Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit ruled there is sufficient evidence for the man to be indicted once proceedings are complete. The case was adjourned to April 24, with the accused remanded in custody.
The prosecution is being led by lawyers for the Attorney General, assisted by police inspectors Kurt Colombo Zahra and Christian Xuereb. Defence counsel and legal representatives for the child’s mother are also participating in the case.
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