Prison warden arraigned

A prison warden was yesterday charged with allowing beer and cigarettes into St Michael's Ward at the hospital where an inmate had been admitted.

Mario Magro, 55, of Paola pleaded not guilty to accepting a bribe and allowing the alcohol and cigarettes into the ward, which is an extension of the Corradino Correctional Facility, last Saturday.

Lawyers Josè Herrera and Roberto Montalto, for Mr Magro, made a request for bail and explained to Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani that their client played a small part in the alleged crime.

He had allowed friends of the inmate he was supervising to enter the ward with beer and cigarettes and accepted cigarettes in return. Police Inspector Mario Tonna objected to bail being granted, arguing that the accused was a prison warden who was in duty bound to prevent such offences.

Mr Magro was granted bail against a Lm300 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm2,000.