Waylon Johnston
‘Queen’ back behind bars
Jail “queen” Josette Bickle is set to return to her “palace” after she was yesterday found guilty in a trial by jury of drug trafficking in prison.
The three-day trial was characterised by shocking testimony that revealed what life was like behind bars and the extent to which inmates would go to get drugs.
One inmate, Maria Concetta Borg, who testified against the 40-year-old Ms Bickle, from Valletta, described her as the “queen” because of the way prison warders and inmates feared her and the power she held, doing whatever she pleased.
Following two-and-a-half hours of deliberation, jurors returned to find her guilty by eight votes to one of drug trafficking and aggravated possession. She did not contest the charge of relapsing.
Ms Bickle stood emotionless in the dock wearing a dark brown suit and orange blouse as the verdict was read out.
Mr Justice Michael Mallia put off the case for this morning for submissions on punishment and then judgement.
Former inmate Elaine Muscat confirmed on Tuesday what she had previously told police investigators, that when Ms Bickle left prison she needed the help of the whole division to move her things.
She said that she had carried two of the four television sets owned by Ms Bickle, which were kept in an empty cell among other things like a surround sound system and mobile phones, all spoils of her drug trafficking business.
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Marianne Tabone
Dec 15th 2011, 21:07
Jien nahseb li soluzzjoni ghad-dhul tad-drogi fil-habs tista' tkun semplici kelb minn dawk li huma mghallma jfittxu d-droga fil-bagalji jinzamm mal-bieb meta jidhlu l-vizitaturi. U fejn hemm suspett ta' dhul b'metodi differenti wasla sal-isptar malajr tikkonferma jekk il-vizitatur ghandux drogi jew le! Tal-wahx il-fatt li jista' jkun hemm min jidhol il-habs nadif u johrog hafna aghar milli dahal!
Rocco Camilleri
Dec 16th 2011, 09:03
@ Marianne Tabone.
Inutli tpoggi kelb fil-bieb biex iffettex/ixxomm id-droga, ghax il-kelb ukoll jista jigi newtralizzat / mghallem biex ma' jghamilx dan. Mela hekk sew ix-xoghol li suppost jghamluh l-awtorita tal-habs li qed jithallsu ghalih mit-taxxi taghna ntuh lil kelb. Ghall lura bl-istess argument messna l-paga ntuha lil KELB ghax hu qed jghamlu x-xoghol. SERJETA minn FUQ S'ISFEL u 'ACCOUNTABILITY' trid issir minn FUQ S'ISFEL ghax il-huta tidher li minn rasha tinten. M'hemmx ridha tajba minn kulhadd, kliem u seminars isiru hafna imma FATTI XEJN. Pajjiz zarmajnih mill- pedamenti ma' nafx kif irid jerga jinbena . Imsieken ta' warajna bli se' jsibu jekk mhux diga qed isibu. Il-popolin qed jitlef (jekk mhux diga tilef) il-fiduccja f-kullhadd - lar haga li tista tigri. Jekk wiehed idur dawra madwara bis-serjeta malajr jilmah dan.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS to ALL.
Nathalie Frendo
Dec 15th 2011, 15:06
Are the authorities afraid of her. why this priviliged treatment why are other inmates afraid of her she should be made to act and behave like all of them no preferences then the fear would stop. She doesnt obey she gets more punishments. Malajr tmurilha l-arja
Rocco Camilleri
Dec 16th 2011, 09:10
Well said Nathalie, I also add with your comments that if the same persons are going to remain running the place, she is going to keep threatening them to keep doing what she used to do and remain as a 'Queen'. A reshuffle must be urgently done and an inquest on the past issues be held by an independent body.
Charles Micallef
Dec 15th 2011, 12:17
WHAT A FARCE.. the relevant authorities must hide their heads in shame, we cannot keep disipline with the guilty ones , but we do well with the innocent ones !
Reuben Scicluna
Dec 16th 2011, 06:12
Brace yourselves to see a bunch of "relevant authorities" walking around with paper bags on their heads.
J Degabriele
Dec 15th 2011, 12:17
So now what? Back to prison and more of the same? Is there going to be any follow-up of these shenanigans? Anyone responsible?
Victor Vella
Dec 15th 2011, 12:04
Il-queen qeghda il-habs tiekol mit-taxxi tal-poplu, u l-poplu jibla` il-kannen tal-Queen. Veru ghadna Pajjiz u Gvern tal- qamel. Imbasta` hadu 600€16c fil-gimgha ta` xejn ul-haddiema ilhom iffrizati sitt snien, imhallsa bil-qamel, ihallsu t-taxxi, xogholhom mhedded fosthom mid-dittatur Wenzu Gonzi il-Kbir , u il-Queen qisa il-baqra tirdgha mill-bizla tal-poplu Malti. Dawn huma il-baqar li holoq il-partit Nazzjonalista bil-korruzzjoni u l`inkompetenza grassa li ghandu. Nerggha nivvota` nazzjonalista.!!!!!!!!!
Mr Tony Gatt
Dec 15th 2011, 10:23
Does she keep a machine gun under her bunk or what.
Patrick Zammit
Dec 15th 2011, 09:23
It is very difficult to argue that those officials whose duty was to see that these things didn't happen in such a restricted place as a prison, didn't know what was actually going on.
If the authorities do not take action against those officials, it would in turn be difficult to argue that the authorities do not condone such illegalities.
Michael Camileri
Dec 15th 2011, 09:10
Why oh why do we glorify these idiots... Put her in segregation. She should ne be given the luxury of having power over others
Dr.Kyle Francis Borg
Dec 15th 2011, 09:25
Corruption at its best !!!!
John Attard
Dec 15th 2011, 11:31
Corruption the likes of which has never been witnessed before. The MInister was responsible TO KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. That is why he was a minister! He should resign! Disgraceful!