Paceville argument with bouncer lands two Colombian women in court

Two Colombian women ended up in court on Tuesday after an argument with a Paceville bouncer escalated into a confrontation with police. 

One of the women was handed a suspended sentence after gesturing rudely to police and resisting arrest, while her friend pleaded not guilty to punching an officer.

The two Colombian women were separately arraigned on Tuesday in connection with an incident in Paceville during the early hours of Monday morning.

Police inspector Jonathan Cassar explained that police had intervened during a verbal argument between the pair and a bouncer on St George’s Road in Paceville.

Despite police calming the situation, 25-year-old Maribel Piedrahita Serna raised her middle finger at the officers, who approached her and asked for her personal details.

Piedrahita Serna did not cooperate with the officers, however, instead insulting them and resisting arrest.

Her friend 19-year-old Katherin Vanessa Torres Castano became involved and allegedly punched a police officer.

Piedrahita Serna was accused of insulting and threatening a police officer, failing to obey legitimate police orders, assaulting the constable and threatening her.

She was also accused of breaching the public peace and being drunk in public.

The woman initially declared that she was undecided on how to plead, before changing her plea to guilty minutes later.

The court warned her that the charge of insulting and threatening a police officer made her liable for a prison sentence, with a fine ranging from €1,200 to €7,500.

Her arraignment was briefly suspended.

When the case was called again, Piedrahita Serna confirmed her guilty plea.

Repatriation

The prosecution and defence declared that a close-to-minimum fine and a suspended sentence would be suitable under the circumstances.

Police inspector Jonathan Cassar also noted that once judgement on the case had been passed down the woman would be handed over to migration police and repatriated, while questioning how the fine would be paid.

Legal aid lawyer Axl Camilleri argued that while his client had admitted to making a rude gesture at the police and insulting them, he felt imprisonment would not be suitable.

Camilleri suggested that the fine should be payable immediately, and that if she failed to do so, the fine should be converted into a prison term. While in prison, the woman would be able to make the necessary arrangements to pay the fine, he said.

After hearing the submissions, the Court found Piedrahita Serna guilty by her own admission and handed her a two-month prison term suspended for a year.

She was also fined €1,200, payable immediately. Should she fail to pay the fine, the court ordered it be converted into a prison term.

Innocent plea

Torres Castano faced similar charges as well as causing slight injuries to the constable.

She pleaded not guilty.

Legal aid lawyer Sarah Ciliberti made a request for bail to which the prosecution objected.

Cassar explained that Torres Castano had in her statement to police that she was in Malta on holiday, adding there was a chance she would abscond.

He also highlighted that the proceedings were still at an early stage and civilian witnesses were yet to testify, including the security guard with whom the “whole argument” started.

The court denied Torres Castano bail and she was remanded in custody.

Magistrate Rachel Montebello presided.

Police inspectors Jonathan Cassar and Dylan Pace prosecuted.

Legal aid lawyers Axl Camilleri and Sarah Ciliberti assisted Piedrahita Serna and Torres Cassano respectively.