Accused of leading 'idle, vagrant' life

A Moroccan was yesterday charged with leading an "idle and vagrant" life when he allegedly went to eat at several restaurants and walked out without paying the bill.

Abdel Mouniam Jabal, 38, pleaded not guilty to assaulting and slightly injuring a police constable and 59-year-old Alfred Galea in Msida on Wednesday at about 11 a.m.

Police Inspector Stephen Gatt told Magistrate Edwina Grima how, on Wednesday, the police intervened because Mr Jabal slapped Mr Galea in the face following an argument in front of the Msida police station. Once escorted into the station, Mr Jabal was asked to hand over his belt and shoelaces before he was escorted into a cell. That was when, Inspector Gatt recounted, Mr Jabal grabbed a constable from the neck and wrestled with him.

The police had also learnt that Mr Jabal had no means to maintain himself, the inspector said. He had gone to eat at several restaurants and left without paying the bill.

Mr Jabal was granted bail on the condition that he signs on the bail book at the Msida police station three times a day. He was also bound by a personal guarantee of Lm500.

Lawyer Patrick Valentino was appointed legal aid to assist Mr Jabal.