Man with drinking problem

An alcoholic man about to undergo major surgery to his kidneys was yesterday given a stern warning by a magistrate after he was charged with threatening his former partner. Magistrate Padovani told 42-year-old Christopher Micallef he should seek help...

An alcoholic man about to undergo major surgery to his kidneys was yesterday given a stern warning by a magistrate after he was charged with threatening his former partner.

Magistrate Padovani told 42-year-old Christopher Micallef he should seek help to stop his drinking problem, especially considering the pending surgery because of this problem. Her comments came after Police Inspector Edmond Cuschieri said Mr Micallef had gone to the residence of Shirley Abela, who is living with her father Emanuele, and threat-ened them while completely drunk.

Mr Micallef stands charged with threatening them on Thursday at about 7 p.m., breaching the peace, resisting the police and assaulting two officers at the Mosta health centre and an officer at Mater Dei Hospital.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and to relapsing.

The inspector said it was always the same story with Mr Micallef: he gets drunk and then goes to their house causing trouble.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000.

Lawyer Raphael Fenech Adami appeared for the accused.

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