The fatal incident which took place on the 19th June 2016 involving a 76-year old Welshman, Allan Michael Stanley was followed by criminal proceedings issued against 23-year-old Matthew Grech who was manoeuvring a dinghy at the time of the incident. The victim was swimming out of the swimmers’ zone without any marker buoys when he was hit by the dinghy’s propeller in Hondoq ir-Rummien.
On the same day of the incident, a number of kayakers were kayaking at the outer end of the bay, one of which being the group leader who later testified in Court about having spotted the victim swimming out of the swimmers’ zone, however, also mentioning that he was barely visible or noticeable. The group leader tried to inform the victim through shouting and hand signals that he had been swimming outside the restricted area.
The victim died after being admitted to the Gozo General Hospital.
Police investigations led to the suspect 23-year old Matthew Grech, being accused of and charged with involuntary homicide as well as with false swearing after taking a false oath when giving his own version of events.
During the relative criminal proceedings, the victim’s wife testified that her husband regularly visited Hondoq Bay to swim and snorkel. However, she also mentioned that he would swim far out and even beyond the swimmers’ zone.
Confirming the wife’s version of events was a male friend of the elderly couple who testified in Court, adding that the victim would often swim far out of the swimming zone even without any marker buoys.
Nevertheless, on the 14th September 2020 judgment was delivered by the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) as a Court of Criminal Judicature as presided by Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, by which the accused was discharged of all charges brought against him.
Dr Joe Giglio appeared as defence counsel in this tragic accident.
