Suspended police inspector fails to appear in court due to illness

Police inspector Jason Francis Sultana, who was expected in court today on charges of corruption and embezzlement, failed to appear due to illness.

Inspector Sultana, who was stationed in Sliema, has already been suspended from the force over the charges, which relate to offences allegedly committed over a number of months.

While the exact details of the case are not yet clear, Inspector Sultana is charged with unlawfully demanding payment for services under the guise of his official authority.

He is also charged with extortion, bribery, and taking a private interest in matters in which he had been entrusted with the issuing of orders, apart from committing crimes he was duty-bound to prevent.

The case, which is being heard by magistrate Anthony Vella was deferred until December.