Police officer fined for 'wasting court's time'

A magistrate yesterday fined a police inspector €200 for "wasting the court's time" after the officer failed to specify the laws under which he charged a man of robbery.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia had arraigned 28-year-old Egyptian Husum El Lafi under arrest and charged him with robbing a man at knifepoint in a St Julians flat on February 28.

When Magistrate Silvio Meli was informed that Mr El Lafi intended to plead guilty, he asked the officer why he had failed to include the articles of the law in the charge sheet.

Before the officer could reply, he was also asked whether he was aware that Mr El Lafi wanted to plead guilty. Inspector Mallia said he was not because the accused was very uncooperative.

Magistrate Meli then retired to his chambers to pass judgment, saying that because the officer had not included the relevant articles of the law in the charges he would have to find them himself.

On returning 10 minutes later, the magistrate informed the officer that because he had "wasted the court's time" he was finding him guilty of contempt and fined him €200.

Mr El Lafi admitted to robbing Ricardo Castelo of cash, a passport and a digital camera. He was jailed for three years.