Suspended sentence for man who violently insulted his mother
Accused suffered following death of his father, court told
A 24-year-old man who insulted and threatened his mother and older brother has been handed a suspended sentence.
The unemployed man was charged following a number of incidents that occurred between November and December outside his mother’s home, after she had kicked him out.
In one incident, the man hurled insults at his mother when she came outside after hearing noise. In another, he took his brother’s mobile phone and did not return it. And in a third, he threw punches at his mother’s car and shattered one of its windows.
Police Inspector Audrey Micallef presented a medical certificate related to the latter incident, in which the victims said they had suffered small cuts and distress.
The accused did not cooperate when first contacted and was placed on a wanted list. He was eventually spotted in Sliema by a police sergeant and arrested on January 7.
In court, the man admitted to all the charges brought against him.
A lawyer representing his mother and brother, Lennox Vella, told the court that the mother did not want her son to be jailed. He had suffered after his father died, the lawyer said, and would often demand hundreds of euros from his mother.
The prosecution confirmed that the death of the accused’s father had significantly impacted him. He was very polite when dealing with the officers and had no addictions, the prosecution noted.
Prosecuting inspector Micallef added that it appears the accused was reluctant to cooperate with the police because he had been previously admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital, against his wishes and without any need, at his mother’s request. A psychiatric consultant confirmed to the police that the man did not need treatment when admitted.
Defence lawyer Amadeus Cachia argued that a suspended sentence, restraining order and treatment order would suffice in this case.
The court found the man guilty by his own admission and handed him a two-year prison term suspended for four years. He was disqualified from driving for three months and ordered to return the car keys to his mother. He is also bound by a three-year treatment order and three-year restraining order.
Magistrate Charmaine Galea presided.
Police inspector Audrey Micallef prosecuted while lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Ishmael Psaila appeared for the accused.
Lawyer Lennox Vella appeared parte civile.