Man handed suspended sentence for running illegal abattoir
A man who admitted operating an illegal abattoir and causing animal cruelty was today handed a six month jail term suspended for two years, and fined €500.
Anthony Sciberras, 67 of San Gwann pleaded guilty to keeping the illegal abattoir in Swieqi valley which was discovered by government inspectors in mid-December.
He also admitted killing the animals in a way which caused them pain, selling meat illegally, breaching sanitary conditions and transporting animals and meat without the required authorisation. He also admitted breaching food and safety regulations.
See video and story at:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091217/local/illegal-abattoir-found-in-swieqi-valley
29 Comments
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anthea doughty
Feb 8th 2010, 20:43
The punishment does not fit the crime. Alas, however, you are now beginning to experience what we in the UK have been experiencing for some time. Because your prison is full up owing to the extra burden placed on it thanks to your immigrant friends, there is no room. So, crimes that should be punished with a custodial sentence will mean suspended sentences and/or fine. Great isn't it? Society is breaking down everywhere. God help us all.
H Galea
Feb 8th 2010, 20:14
I ask all of commenters How much cash did you donate.So you prefer animals to run hungry and without shelter. How many of you provide shelter and food near your homes if you cannot accept four of them inside.This is more crudelity letting animals die of hunger.If sanctuaries give a hell of a problem to accept one dog can you all give an alternative solution.I am against hurting animals, but can you watch a dog to become skin and bones as no now wants him.Will It Be Suffering More?
Franco Farrugia
Feb 8th 2010, 16:59
On BBC News: ITV has been fined 1,672 British pounds after contestants on one of its reality shows ate and killed a rat - it was considered to be animal cruelty! The fine was issued by the RSPCA in Australia. And here, in Malta, our local SPCA-of-sorts is s striking with its blatant silence that indeed, speaks volumes!
N Abela
Feb 8th 2010, 16:24
500 euros?? and a suspended sentence?? give him a voucher for a pizza and a six pack while ur at it!! when is the government going to realise that these are no punishments!!
Sylvia Zammit
Feb 8th 2010, 16:04
Here we go again! Crime does, indeed, pay in Malta! I'm sorry for the police and, in this case, the Animal Welfare officials, who do their job diligently - only to see the criminals get away with a puny fine and a suspended sentence. GET TOUGH PLEASE! He admitted to 5 offences - surely any one of these should merit a higher fine?
Joseph Agius
Feb 8th 2010, 15:54
What a joke.A fine of €500 and a suspended sentence.Give us a break.Yes its Shamefull that these people walk away like this.Animals should be protected too with more serious laws,Now any pressure group around .......or we have to wait for a warship
Rob debono
Feb 8th 2010, 15:53
in China for distributing deadly contaminated milk means death sentence ! in Malta for selling illegal poultry means KARNIVAL !
V Demajo
Feb 8th 2010, 15:44
EUR 500 and a suspended six month jail sentence for all that list of convictions!! AN INSULT TO ALL VOTERS OF THIS COUNTRY. AN ABUSE OF JUSTICE. A DISGUSTING JOKE. 500 euros pays for ONE DAY OF SUFFERING of ONE of those poor animals ONLY.
"Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through" ~ Jonathan Swift, A Critical Essay upon the Faculties of the Mind, 1707
Louise Chircop
Feb 8th 2010, 15:34
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
karm cassar
Feb 8th 2010, 15:29
But I and others could have eaten contaminated meat. Does not this matter? Is there some government minister responsible? Is there a government running this country? Is there nobody who cares?
c.pace
Feb 8th 2010, 15:20
This suspened sentence s become so normal that anyone who s anyone would not think twice on committing a crime. Sure lets hurt animals, we'll only get a suspended sentence,sure lets assault a helpless girl,we'll get a suspended sentence, sure lets sell drugs....anyways I think you all get my drift! Malta s one ridiculous country....
Criss Camilleri
Feb 8th 2010, 15:18
Insomma, sometimes I think that in this Malta of ours, one would be better off if one commits crimes. What a laugh, what a shame, and how disgusting.
Roderick Cutajar
Feb 8th 2010, 15:11
Mepa and the Law Courts...the 2 worst institutions in Malta. Shame on them all!
clint catania
Feb 8th 2010, 15:11
tad dahk u tal biki.ara vera bla sens ,ghax ma hallastuhx talli ghamel hekk.
Emmanuel Ebejer
Feb 8th 2010, 14:52
Pathetic!!!! This will only encourage those who are cruel to animals to continue enjoying themselves.
Dorianne Montebello
Feb 8th 2010, 14:44
If it weren't for the Animal Welfare Department, this bloke would have gone scott free and I know what I am saying because I was there.
DVella
Feb 8th 2010, 14:37
SHAME ! SHAME ! SHAME !
No wonder the majority of the maltese public hold the judiciary in utter contempt . . . !
judith desira
Feb 8th 2010, 14:35
DISGUSTING!!!!!
nmifsud
Feb 8th 2010, 14:18
500euros??? konna, ghadna u nibqaghu Pajjiz tal Micky Mouse!!!!
A. Mifsud
Feb 8th 2010, 14:15
WOWWW.... Now that's what I call an appropriate punishment....
SHAME, our judical system is getting to a ridiculous state.
His illict activity could have posed a serious threat to our health.... and it seems he has now got away with a mere €500 fine and a two year jail suspended sentence.
MALTA : A PURELY COMIC STATE run by CLOWNS...
Matthew Stack
Feb 8th 2010, 14:11
This is just awefull! In UK this man would spend a good 3 yrs in jail and fined enough grand to last him a lifetime. Shame Shame Shame, your country laws are exactly like one of your actors said years ago "Tal Mickey Mouse"
Keith D'Amato
Feb 8th 2010, 14:00
Inkredibli il Gustizzja ta' Malta. Missejt il qieh! Ma tiflahx tid dizappuntana aktar!
C. Weitze
Feb 8th 2010, 13:46
This reminds me of a a previous blog about animal cruelty, where a blogger pointed out to me that according to chapter 439 of the Animal Welfare Act fines for animal cruelty start from 250.- to 46,000 Euros and provide up to one year imprisonment.
Considering the amount of animals that have been killed, the fine given is yet again another joke and at the same time an insult to the nation's intelligence.
DMifsud
Feb 8th 2010, 13:45
This country is going nuts! 500 euros phew! a couple of months worth of electricity and water consumption
Franco Farrugia
Feb 8th 2010, 13:33
Shame, shame and absolut shame not only to the law courts but more, to the legislators. The law courts,after all, give sentences according to the law. It is the law-makers who, after all, should be ashamed. Is this the kind of democracy we are living in? Just because animals do not have voices or votes, we ignore them and their plight. What a shame! Disgusting to call myself Maltese.
ACachia
Feb 8th 2010, 13:16
EUR 500 for this brutality... Yes, that seems enough to me.... He will surely learn his lesson this way..... NOT !
IMISKHOM TISTHU ITTUH PENALI TA DAN IT TIP !
Farrugia A
Feb 8th 2010, 13:15
Well done to the authorities for the conviction, however I really think that it is so light when compared to the pain animals suffered.
C Cassar
Feb 8th 2010, 13:11
€500? that was probably a drop in the ocean compared to the profits he made over the years selling this rubbish. I think a more appropriate punishment would have been a minimum fine of €5000 and a minimum jail term of 6 months. Otherwise what is to stop others doing the same when they'll still make alot of profit from illegal meat trading?
N. Borg
Feb 8th 2010, 13:09
Suspended sentence? he should be thrown in jail and the key disposed of permanently.
just because animals do not have a voice or a vote does not mean that cruelty against them should not go unpunished! A suspended sentence and a €500 equates to going unpunished!