Teenage tourist handed suspended sentence after resisting arrest
The 19-year-old scratched a police officer while resisting arrest as officers tried to place handcuffs on him
A teenage tourist was handed a suspended sentence Tuesday after admitting to resisting arrest.
Swiss tourist Simon Lion Rimon Tesfamariam, 19, was accused of resisting arrest and slightly injuring a police constable while doing so. He was further charged with breaching the public peace and disobeying police orders.
The police were alerted to a disturbance at a Sliema apartment on Monday at 5.15am. Upon arrival at the apartment block, a witness informed them that someone had spat at them from the balcony.
Police inspector Michael Vella explained that the officers went to the apartment in question.
“Initially it was tense, but it was quickly diffused. However, the accused was hostile towards the police officers. One of his friends, who was talking to the officers, kept pushing the accused away from the officers. He [Tesfamariam] also came face-to-face with the officers,” the inspector added.
Officers arrested Tesfamariam and tried to handcuff him in the lift, whereupon he resisted arrest. As he was doing so, he scratched a police officer. The injury was classified as slight.
In court, the teenager admitted his guilt. Through the help of an interpreter, he said he was scared when asked to reconfirm the plea.
The court explained the consequences of the plea.
The interpreter said the man’s intention was to admit his guilt and apologise for his actions. He added that he had no intention of doing such things, and all he wanted was to return home and continue studying.
After hearing submissions, the court sentenced the teenager to a nine-month jail term suspended for two years. He was also fined €1,200.
Magistrate Elaine Rizzo presided over the court.
Police inspectors Michael Vella prosecuted.
Legal aid lawyer Sarah Ciliberti assisted the accused.