Probation order after admitting to threatening police, spreading fake news
Daniel Portelli had appeared in court in April after threatening to shoot at planes and members of the public
A 43-year-old private security guard has been handed a probation order after admitting to threatening two police inspectors and disseminating fake news.
Daniel Portelli landed himself in court on April 1, when he admitted to sending messages to the police threatening to shoot at planes and people.
During that sitting, he was granted bail pending sentencing.
He was back in court in August after allegedly threatening police inspectors Mohammed Shurrab and Roxanne Tabone between April 26 and August 21.
The police were alerted to the threats after Portelli allegedly threatened to blow up the Malta International Airport. The posts were made from a fake Facebook profile under the name “Alex Borg”, which had a photo of Shurrab as a profile picture.
The police established that the Facebook profile had been previously inactive and was reactivated with posts targeting the two inspectors.
Portelli had written that the inspectors “deserved death” and that one of them “only had until August 31 to live”.
The man had denied the charges during his arraignment but changed his plea on March 4.
He was accused of causing police inspector Mohammed Shurrab fear that violence would be used against him. He was further charged with threatening and insulting police inspectors Mohammed Shurrab and Roxanne Tabone.
He was charged with misusing electronic equipment and further charged with breaching a set of bail conditions.
Portelli was also accused of, on August 21, destroying traces of a crime and disseminating fake news that would have probably alarmed the public or breached the public peace.
In its considerations, the court took into account the nature of the charges brought against him. It also took into account the testimonies of the court-appointed psychiatrists and that of the probation officer.
The man was handed a three-year probation order.
The court ordered the forfeiture of a €100 from his €5,000 personal guarantee in his previous bail conditions.
A three-year restraining order was issued in favour of both inspectors.
Portelli was ordered to pay €1,113.50 in court expenses.
Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided.
Police inspector Zachary Zammit prosecuted.
Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Adreana Zammit assisted the accused.