A reveller was fined and handed a suspended sentence today after getting into trouble with the police when he threw a flag during a band march, knocking off an officer’s cap, and later kicked up a fuss at the local police station.
Andre Massa, the 24-year old, landed in court facing criminal proceedings for having violently resisted or attacked two policemen, insulted or threatened five police officers, refused to obey legitimate police orders as well as having made obscene gestures in public.
The Magistrates’ Court heard how the incident had taken place in the night between August 8 and 9, 2014 when a band was marching past the St Dominic’s band club in Vittoriosa.
The accused had thrown a flag which had hit a policeman, knocking off his cap but fortunately causing no injuries.
A police inspector, who happened to spot the act but did not wish to disrupt the festivities, signalled to the wrongdoer who responded by shouting and directing obscene finger gestures towards the officer.
Not wishing to create a commotion which would disrupt the public celebration, the inspector allowed the march to proceed and only later sent for the accused who duly turned up at the local police station.
A verbal argument ensued between the culprit and several officers including the inspector.
During criminal proceedings, the police constable hit by the flag confirmed the incident but said he could not identify the person involved.
However, several of his colleagues, also present at the time all testified that the culprit behind the flying flag had been the accused. This was further confirmed by video footage which had showed the young man’s gesture.
On the basis of all evidence produced, the court, presided over by Magistrate Doreen Clarke, did not find the accused guilty of having violently resisted two officers but, upon his own admission, declared him guilty of all the other charges, condemning him to a 5-month jail term suspended for 18 months.
The man was also fined €800 by the court.
Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted.