Man charges into government department before collapsing

A man facing eviction from a Marsaxlokk property yesterday charged into the office of the Director of Land in Valletta waving a broken piece of glass before suddenly collapsing.

Police sources said he suffered an anxiety attack.

He caused a commotion at the department in Auberge De Baviere, after the government property that he illegally occupied for well over a decade was put up for auction, following the advice of the Attorney General.

Government sources named the man as Anthony Gatt.

They said he broke down the door to director Albert Mamo's office but his legs gave way and he was quietly escorted outside by the police, where he sat down on a step and waited for an ambulance.

The sources said Mr Gatt used to rent a building in Marsaxlokk which was being used as a sailing club. Despite the eviction notice, he stubbornly refused to leave and, to add insult to injury, even rented it to someone else.

Mr Gatt also tried filing for a warrant of prohibitory injunction but it was rejected by the courts.

As a last resort, he asked for a refund of the money he had spent developing the property and the government's refusal was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com