Prison warden fined Lm250

A prison warden was fined Lm250 for taking 60 packets of cigarettes out of the correctional facility.

Alfred Fenech, 56, of Zejtun, was accused of accepting bribes and taking a quantity of cigarettes out of prison on April 17, 2004.

The accused had pleaded guilty to the charge of taking out the cigarettes but contested the charge of accepting bribes.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, noted that the accused was searched after leaving prison on finishing work on April 17, 2004. The police found a plastic bag containing 60 packets of cigarettes and the prison warden said they had been given to him by a prisoner, Martin Dimech, who had asked him to sell the cigarettes and deposit the money in the prisoner's account.

The court noted that Mr Dimech testified that it was he who had almost forced the warden to do him such a favour and it did not result that the warden had accepted any bribes or asked for any compensation.

Hence, the court acquitted him of accepting bribes.

Police Inspector Carmelo Magri prosecuted. Lawyer Mark Busuttil was defence counsel.