Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Paceville Stabbing

A 37-year-old Pembroke resident has been charged with attempted murder following a brutal stabbing at a Paceville nightclub early Sunday morning. David Jonathan Spiteri allegedly slashed a 32-year-old Syrian national in the neck with a knife in an incident that left the victim with life-threatening injuries [1].

The attack happened shortly before 1am on Sunday. According to court testimony, Spiteri was heavily intoxicated when he stumbled on a step while walking past the victim, who was dancing. Rather than react with gratitude, Spiteri allegedly drew a knife and slashed the man across the neck without warning or provocation [1].

"The victim attempted to help the accused back on his feet, only for Spiteri to allegedly slash the victim in the neck with a knife," the court heard on Monday [1]. The unprovoked nature of the attack was emphasized—Spiteri and his victim did not know each other.

Victim Collapses Near Police Van

Bleeding heavily from the neck wound, the victim managed to seek help and collapsed near a police van. Spiteri attempted to blend back into the nightclub's crowd but was identified and arrested. He allegedly resisted arrest and tried to conceal the knife used in the attack [1].

Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace denied a bail request and rejected an application to ban publication of Spiteri's name. A protection order was issued in favor of the victim [1].

History of Violence in Paceville

This is not Spiteri's first brush with the law over violence in Paceville. In 2007, when he was just 19 years old, Spiteri shot a man he saw with his girlfriend. He was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and received a suspended sentence [1]. In 2016, he was placed on probation over a 2012 incident in which he beat a woman who was by then his ex-partner [1].