Jailed, fined for injuring policemen

A Cospicua man was yesterday jailed for two and a half years and fined Lm250 for threatening, assaulting and slightly injuring police officers two years ago.

George Grech, 41, also pleaded guilty to causing less than Lm50 damage to a prison cell, speeding, driving dangerously and without an insurance cover, breaching the peace and relapsing between April 9 and 15, 2000.

Magistrate Noel Cuschieri heard how on April 9, 2000, police arrested Grech and took him to the police station. But while they were trying to put him in a cell he assaulted PC Abela and Superintendent Angelo Baldacchino. He also threatened to plant a bomb.

When they finally managed to get him into the cell he caused damage inside.

On April 15, 2000 a bar owner informed police that Grech was causing trouble but when police arrived Grech had left the scene. Police then saw him drive past and when he saw the police he drove off at a fast speed. He drove dangerously, against one way signs and on pavements.

Grech then slowed down and when he saw the police cars approach him he drove into them, slightly injuring two policemen in the process. Grech then drove off until a tyre burst and he had to stop. He ran out of the car but police arrested him.

In handing down judgment, Magistrate Cuschieri noted that this was not the first time that Grech had behaved aggressively, especially towards a police officer.

He had already been jailed for his behaviour but it had not had the desired effect. For this reason the magistrate ruled that a jail term was appropriate.

Police Superintendent Angelo Baldacchino and Police Inspector Marisa Camilleri prosecuted.