€8,200 fine for man who breached protection order, reviled police officers
The accused needs help to get over his alcoholism and control his emotions, court says
A 58-year-old St Paul’s Bay man has been fined a total of €8,200 for breaching a protection order and reviling three police officers.
The man was accused of breaching a protection order issued by the family court in 2022, threatening and reviling a police inspector, a sergeant and a constable on February 16, 2026, disobeying police orders, failing to update his identity card details and recidivism.
When he was first arraigned under arrest, the man denied the charges. However, he entered a guilty plea on March 11.
In its considerations on punishment, the court took into account the nature of the charges against him and his early guilty plea. The court considered that the man needs help to understand that his relationship with his partner is over. It considered an effective prison term was not deemed suitable in the circumstances.
The accused, however, needed help to overcome alcoholism and learn how to control his emotions.
The court found him guilty by his own admission and fined him €7,000 for breaching the protection order and €1,200 for reviling the officers. Both fines are to be paid within three years. He was placed on a three-year probation and a three-year treatment order was imposed. A two-year restraining order was issued in favour of the victim.
Magistrate Abigail Critien presided. Police inspector Christian Cauchi prosecuted.