Jail term converted into Lm200 fine

The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday converted a two-month jail term into a fine of Lm200 following an appeal by a man charged with assaulting his estranged wife in court last October.

The court noted that the man was legally separated from his wife. On the day the incident took place, the accused and his former wife were trying to find an amicable solution in their separation case. While discussing the issue with their respective lawyers, the accused was accompanied by his partner and the wife was not amused as she felt she had no right to be there. The man's partner told the wife not to interfere.

The accused pushed his wife and he was arraigned. The Court of Criminal Appeal found that the two-month jail term was for the charges of assault and breaching the peace but there was no evidence that the second offence had indeed taken place.

The court said it did not consider a jail term an adequate one in the circumstances and converted the jail term into a fine.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherret appeared for the accused.