Unpaid cleaner vents his frustration on policeman

A Nigerian man who attacked an officer at St Paul’s Bay police station was yesterday conditionally discharged for three years after he pleaded guilty.

Beneth Belonwu, 31, who lives in St Paul’s Bay, lost his temper after claiming his employer did not pay him for cleaning work he had done.

Police Inspector Therese Sciberras told the court she sympathised with the accused and said the police were called to his place of work after he kicked up a fuss on Monday afternoon. Officers escorted him to the police station where he calmed down. He then began demanding payment from the officers who ordered him to leave and even pushed him out, but he soon returned. The prosecuting officer said she told him he should take up his claim with the Employment and Training Corporation but he could not understand and assaulted an officer.

The officer only sustained some scratches but the accused should understand such things were just not done, Ms Sciberras said.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia handed down a conditional discharge after taking into consideration the circumstances of the case.