Groom pleads to be spared jail

A Libyan man today asked a court not to extend his jail term as he plans to get married within a week, after he is released from jail for another offence.

Inmate Mahmud Tarek, 32, at first pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin inside the prison and relapsing, but after Magistrate Michael Mallia took a look at his criminal record and said that he was definitely going to jail him, he changed his plea.

Defence lawyer Leslie Cuschieri asked the court before handing down judgement to take into consideration that his client was going to get married next week, when he is due to be released from prison.

However after hearing this, the magistrate exclaimed, “How many times is he going to be given chances to reform?” and read out five convictions, four of which were prison terms and a suspended sentence from his criminal record.

The magistrate added that there was no possibility that Mr Tarek would be let off with a suspended sentence just because he was going to get married.

Mr Tarek then decided to plead not guilty and was remanded in custody until the case was heard.

Police Inspector Spiridione Zammit prosecuted.