CPD called to court to free five people trapped in a lift for more than an hour
Three accused and at least two guards were stuck in the lift
Updated 6.06pm
The Civil Protection Department was called to the Valletta courthouse to free five people trapped in a lift for more than an hour.
Three members of a family accused of usury and at least two guards were stuck in the main lift, Times of Malta understands.
Magistrate Lara Lanfranco, prosecutors and defence lawyers were left waiting in the empty courtroom where proceedings against the Pace family were due to resume.
After approximately 30 to 45 minutes, Magistrate Lara Lanfranco decided to adjourn the case to another day.
Meanwhile members of the Civil Protection Department were called to the courtroom to open the lift. The group was released after more than an hour inside.
One source suggested the lift became stuck because too many people entered at the same time.
Times of Malta is informed that this is not the first time such an incident has occurred, as similar situations have happened before.
In a statement, the Court Services Agency confirmed a "similar incident" had occurred around three weeks ago involving the lift used to escort prisoners from the lock-up to the courtrooms.
Following that incident, a technical report confirmed that the lift had malfunctioned because it was "overloaded beyond its maximum capacity", the agency said.
"The matter was raised with the responsible authorities and the necessary instructions were issued."
The agency reiterated the "importance of complying with the established safety limits to prevent similar incidents from occurring".
And it is the second time in a month the Valletta courthouse has faced problems.
Several weeks ago a judge in a different case was forced to hear cases from two tables in a corridor at the Law Courts on Thursday after the courtroom assigned to her was occupied and no other hall was available.
On Thursday, the court was expected to hear the testimony of three court experts.
The accused are 45-year-old Keith Pace from Santa Venera; his partner Maria Grixti, 49, from Marsa; his parents, 73-year-old Lawrence and 73-year-old Emanuela Pace from Santa Venera; and his two siblings, 24-year-old Carlos and 20-year-old Cleaven Pace, who stand accused in connection with usury and money laundering.
All six have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
The prosecution is being led by Inspector Leanne Bonello, together with lawyers Neville Galea and Michael Muscat on behalf of the Attorney General. Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adriana Zammit are representing the six accused, while the elderly parents are also represented by lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri.