Former drug trafficker 'not a credible witness'

A former prison inmate has been cleared of asking for money from another prisoner, who was detained at Mount Carmel Hospital, in return for helping him to obtain some privileges.

Victor Pace, 47, of Birkirara was acquitted of trading in influence when the court ruled that the other prisoner who was also the main witness – convicted drug trafficker Mario Camilleri known as l-Imnieħru – was not credible. Magistrate Anthony Vella heard how Mr Pace met Mr Camilleri while both were serving time at the Corradino Correctional Facility. Mr Pace was released from jail and, in the meantime, Mr Camilleri was transferred to the forensic ward at Mount Carmel Hospital.

In December 2009, Mr Camilleri filed a report with the hospital authorities claiming that, on two occasions, Mr Pace has visited him in hospital and asked him for money to help him access the hospital’s garden.

Mr Pace denied the allegations.

Magistrate Vella said this was a matter of someone’s word against another’s and the only evidence against Mr Pace was the version by Mr Camilleri.

The magistrate pointed out that Mr Camilleri was not credible since, when asked to testify in court, he stated that he did not know what he said when he reported Mr Pace since he was under the influence of medication.