Watchman fined Lm250 for assaulting teacher

A watchman at a boys' school was fined Lm250 for assaulting and slightly injuring the teacher of discipline at the school.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano heard how Victor Mizzi, a 54-year-old watchman at St Joseph School, in Marsa, assaulted Anthony Briffa because the teacher reported him to the disciplinary board for skiving work.

Mr Briffa was testifying before the board at the Department of Education on May 19, 2004 when Mr Mizzi hit him.

The magistrate heard Mr Mizzi say that Mr Briffa had reported him unjustly and that this was not the first time as he constantly picked on him at work.

He admitted to assaulting Mr Briffa during the board hearing but denied hitting him with a chair, as had been alleged.

After hearing the evidence, Magistrate Quintano cleared Mr Mizzi of trying to seriously injure Mr Briffa and attacking him with a chair. He found him guilty of slightly injuring the teacher.

The magistrate noted that this was not the first time that Mr Mizzi had been convicted of assaulting people. However, given the circumstances of the case, the magistrate ruled that Mr Mizzi did not deserve a jail term.

He fined him Lm250 and bound him not to bother Mr Briffa against a Lm100 fine in default.

Police Inspectors Ramon Mercieca and Josric Mifsud prosecuted.