Bogus doctor put on probation

A 22-year-old man was yesterday put on probation for three years for exercising the medical profession without a warrant when a magistrate heard he did not do so for financial gains but because of psychological reasons.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano found Duncan Buttigieg, of Ghaxaq, guilty of illegally acting as a doctor and prescribing medicine on and before August 21, 2003.

Mr Buttigieg was, however, cleared of forging documents and making false declarations.

The magistrate heard how the police had received several reports that Mr Buttigieg was examining people when he was not a medical doctor.

In a statement, Mr Buttigieg explained that he did in fact examine people and had prescribed some medicine but never charged for it. However, sometimes he was given Lm2 in appreciation of his service.

He explained that he was studying with the aim of becoming a doctor and carried a briefcase with him containing a stethoscope.

Mr Buttigieg said he had his own business cards and had downloaded government papers from the internet on which he referred to himself as "Dr Duncan Buttigieg".

Magistrate Quintano heard a psychologist explain that the accused suffered from a disorder of a psychological nature and, consequently, he ruled that probation would be the appropriate punishment for both Mr Buttigieg and society.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted.

Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for Mr Buttigieg.