Man with 47 guns admits to threatening fellow quarry owner
The pair are understood to have argued about money
A 65-year-old Mġarr man with 47 weapons in his name has been handed a suspended sentence after threatening to hurt another quarry owner.
Pio Galea appeared in court on Friday afternoon, where he was accused of insulting and threatening the victim, assaulting and harassing him.
Police Inspector Italo Mizzi explained that Galea visited the victim’s quarry on January 6 at around 1:00 p.m. It is understood that the accused and the victim own separate quarries adjacent to each other in Mosta.
According to the inspector, a business was closed, and there was a disputed outstanding amount believed to run into the thousands between the two.
The two men argued and insulted each other.
The victim showed police footage in which Galea can be heard saying, “I will beat you to pulp” [“Nifqgħak”], and a physical altercation ensued. The victim alleged that Galea also threatened to shoot him.
On Thursday, Galea went to the victim’s office and insulted and threatened him in front of the clerk and his daughter. The victim reported the accused to the police, alleging Galea had threatened to shoot him.
A police database search showed that Galea had 47 weapons in his name.
Galea was arrested at his residence, and his weapons were confiscated. The police inspector explained that Galea helped them pack the weapons ready for transport, and that the whole exercise took until 1am.
In his statement to the police, Galea confessed to everything but strongly denied threatening to shoot the victim.
On Friday, he admitted to the charges.
Defence lawyer Jason Grima told the court that his client laid asphalt on his part of the quarry and placed a lock to prevent others from entering. The victim reportedly called the accused for the latter to open, but Galea did not hear his phone. He then found his lock missing and repeatedly asked the victim to return it.
The court handed the man a one-year prison term, suspended for two years. A three-year restraining order was issued in favour of the victim, with the court pointing out that on business matters, the men are to meet in the presence of lawyers or notaries.
"What happens if he denies me of them [the monies owed]?" the man asked the court, to which Magistrate Charmaine Galea replied: "You've got a lawyer, don't take matters into your own hands."
Police inspector Italo Mizzi prosecuted, while lawyer Jason Grima appeared for Galea.