Magistrate raps acting prisons director

Magistrate Silvio Meli this morning rapped acting prisons director Abraham Zammit for taking a prisoner to court for proceedings late and told him he was losing his trust.

Last Monday, Magistrate Meli had to postpone a case against Romeo Bone, who is charged with stalking PC99 Mario Portelli, the star witness in a criminal case against former police inspector David Gatt after he gave up waiting for the accused to be brought from prison.

At the beginning of Mr Bone’s hearing today, Magistrate Meli wanted to know from Supt. Zammit, the precise reason as to why Mr Bone had not been taken to court on time.

Supt. Zammit pointed out that Mr Bone had been taken to court but late.

Magistrate Meli asked the acting director not make excuses and insisted on knowing the reason behind the lateness.

Supt. Zammit said that Mr Bone was being held at the Mount Carmel Forensic Unit and he had been taken to court from there. However, a car had broken down on the way resulting in traffic on the road.

At this point the magistrate said: “I don’t believe you”.

Supt. Zammit pointed out that he was testifying under oath.

And Magistrate Meli quipped that he was also under oath and he did not believe Supt. Zammit.

“You are losing my trust,” he told the inspector before dismissing him.