Officer’s breath smelled of alcohol

Police Commissioner John Rizzo told suspended officer Jeffrey Cilia about five hours after an incident in which he allegedly attacked three brothers in Paceville that he could smell alcohol on his breath.

Mr Rizzo investigated the case himself and questioned Mr Cilia, who holds the rank of police inspector, at about 9 a.m. on the same day of the incident, it emerged in court yesterday.

Brothers Matthew, 28, Alek, 18, and Omar Debono, 21, were walking towards their car in front of the Intercontinental Hotel in St George’s Bay last December 22 when Mr Cilia, 38, from Balzan allegedly attacked them together with another man, Ġiuseppi Farrugia, 39, of Għargħur.

The defence is claiming that Mr Cilia intervened after he spotted Matthew Debono vandalising plants on the side of the road.

The brothers however insist that the argument was sparked off when Matthew Debono spat on the ground and Mr Cilia started hurling abuse at them and even punched Matthew.

Assistant Police Commissioners Lawrence Cauchi and Raymond Zammit and Superintendent Stephen Gatt testified in the compilation of evidence.

Mr Zammit said that he could remember that at the start of questioning, Mr Rizzo warned Mr Cilia that he had better watch out because his breath smell of alcohol. Mr Cilia replied that the incident happened at 4 a.m.

The case continues.

Lawyer Joe Giglio appeared for Mr Cilia.