Fined Lm1,000 for assaulting Mepa officer

A Zebbug man was fined Lm1,000 for assaulting a Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) enforcement officer almost four years ago.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti found Carmel Dimech, 48, guilty of threatening, assaulting and slightly injuring Mepa officer Ronnie Vella in Zebbug on August 30, 2003.

Mr Vella told the court that, on the day, he and his colleagues had gone to a Zebbug construction site to issue a stop and enforcement notice because illegal works were in progress. There they met Mr Dimech. When the Mepa enforcement officers told Mr Dimech to stop construction, he refused to obey. So the officers left the site and sought the assistance of the police.

When the Mepa officers returned on site, accompanied by the police, Mr Dimech started hurling insults at them and even punched Mr Vella in the face.

Mr Vella testified that, as he walked away from the area, Mr Dimech hurled a stone at him but did not hit him.

The accused said the construction works were being carried out on his daughter's house. He reacted the way he did because he had been provoked by Mr Vella.

On evaluating the evidence, the magistrate found that Mr Vella's version was corroborated by several other witnesses and fined Mr Dimech Lm1,000.

Police Inspector Raymond D'Anastas prosecuted.