Case put off as prisoner turns up in torn jeans
A magistrate this morning deferred a case because the defendant, a prisoner, turned out dressed in torn jeans and a t-shirt.
Prisoner Joseph Zahra, known as il-gurdien stands accused of animal cruelty.
At one point Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona asked where Mr Zahra was and the latter entered the court room plastic bag in hand and replied “aw hi”.
The magistrate told police that the accused should be taken to court properly dressed. He ordered that the prison authorities be made aware of this and make sure he was properly dressed next time.
Mr Zahra told the magistrate it was not his fault he had turned up dressed the way he was, all his clothes were torn and the prisons did not provide adequate clothing.
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43 Comments
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Mike Abbot
Oct 17th 2012, 15:35
As we give a damn how people dress in court. Get on with your jobs and stop wasting OUR taxes on postponements and creating the delays you are so famous for. Honestly, if you are so offended then give him a fine or something. Just get on with it!!!
Karl Consiglio
Oct 16th 2012, 18:07
What we understand by "properly dressed" is a state of mind.
Christina Sammut
Oct 16th 2012, 17:21
I believe that justice should be given priority over fashion.
Charles W. Sammut
Oct 16th 2012, 16:58
What an absolute waste of court and police time. The Magistrate should look at the person and his alleged crime not at his clothes. Some of the vilest criminals in history wore smart expensive suits and some of the most honest people go round in rags. Get your priorities right.
V Mercieca
Oct 16th 2012, 16:53
And those of Il-Maghluq camping site were taken to court in shorts and T-shirts and we were told that it was normal practice that prisoners were taken with the cloths they were wearing when arrested.
"All persons are equal but some are more equal than others"
Charlie DeBattista
Oct 16th 2012, 20:53
"All persons are equal but some are more equal than others"... Some may also know more important people than others.
J Galea
Oct 16th 2012, 14:57
Another controversial decision by our courts. for goodness sake, who cares what somebody looks like. What we are interested is in whether he committed a crime and if so that he gets the appropriate sentence.
M Cachia
Oct 16th 2012, 17:15
You sir have no idea about court etiquette do you. As one of the highest institutions of our country, one which embodies the people and needs to be respected
Mr Tony Gatt
Oct 17th 2012, 07:38
@ M Cachia
Going by the jolly greeting Mr. Zahra gave the court I suspect it was not his first appearance in court!
twanny borg
Oct 16th 2012, 14:57
x'tort ghandu l-gwardjan jew il-pulizija jekk dan is-sinjur (iva sinjur) m'ghandux glekk? iselfu tieghu jew jixtrilu wiehed? ghamlet sew il-qorti iddefferit u hallietu l-habs ghal darb'ohra.
Charles Micallef
Oct 16th 2012, 14:50
This is another cock up in the life of prison guards escorting prisoners to Court, there is a lack of respect to the judiciary system!
Chris Sammut
Oct 16th 2012, 17:29
Sorry Mr Micallef don t agree with you. How can you say lack of respect from the guards to the judiciary system? It s up to the accused to be dresses properly and if he won't be penalised. Simple as. But the guards all they can do is press the accused to make sure he will wear proper clothing. That s all they can do.
A Cuschieri
Oct 16th 2012, 14:50
Ma niftakarx li gara l-istess ma dawk tal-glied ta' Marsaxlokk ...
Tajjeb li l-qorti zzom certu dekor, imma jew ma kulhadd jew ma hadd
Victor Pulis
Oct 16th 2012, 14:49
Perhaps he was trying to emulate the dress code of the Marsaxlokk quattro!
Mr John Borg
Oct 16th 2012, 14:49
I would propose the court investing in a one-size-fits-all suit for men and for women. You will be forced to change into if not dressed appropriately. Similar to churches when they provide shawls for who is inappropriately dressed.
I would also charge the person using is a fee for dry-cleaning and impose a fixed penalty for the inconvenience caused and waste of court's time.
Paul Azzopardi
Oct 16th 2012, 14:47
Seems like prison wardens are the one lacking common sense . Are they not responsible for the prisoners well being ????
M Mifsud
Oct 16th 2012, 14:25
How about providing striped B&W jumpsuits for prisoners, the same way hospital gowns are provided for patients? I am sure that everybody will show up in court dressed in their own smart clothes then!
m busuttil
Oct 16th 2012, 17:34
very well said 100% agree
M Busuttil
Oct 16th 2012, 13:59
It-tort kollhu missu jinghata lil gwardjani tal puluzija jekk il kaz veru kif imsemmi hawn.
Ma kienux jafu li sejjer il-qorti? Anke tifel jaf li trid tilbes glekk u ngravata.
Jew hasbuh sejjer il monti tal-birgu dalghodu?
R. Azzopardi
Oct 16th 2012, 14:24
well said!
rosa fenech
Oct 16th 2012, 13:39
the courts cannot ask for respect that way.. they have to gain the people's respect.. and the latest judgements given these past weeks have made people loose all their respect and faith in our courts..
after all.. when we are in court.. we are not standing infront of gods.. but in humans made out of flesh and blood..
A.Felex Busuttil
Oct 16th 2012, 13:38
Spiccajna, qed nikkrollaw............................
Jurg Meier
Oct 16th 2012, 13:36
I think it's high time for a prison fashon outlet, a facility providing adequate clothing for the big day!
Joe Borg - sentenced to X years - Clothes sponsored by Dolce & Garbage
X'dinja dik?
Joseph Borg
Oct 16th 2012, 13:18
Mela insejtu kif dahlu il qorti dawk ta Marsaxlokk meta kien hemm il protesta . Sa fejn naf jiena ebda twissija ma hadu u lanqas giet diferita. Il ligi qeda hemm jew ghal kulhadd jew ghal hadd.
M. Cachia
Oct 16th 2012, 13:10
Judging from the very few times I happened to be in the Law Courts, I could not help notice that The Dress Code is only applicable to Males!
I've seen with my own eyes some very colourful and illustrious females entering Halls in a very undignified manner.
wayne scicluna
Oct 16th 2012, 14:26
Yes being female seems to grant special privilages. Equality seems to have flown out of the window.
Amante Reale
Oct 16th 2012, 15:43
@wayne scicluna
I don't think you understand what equality means, Mr Scicluna.
wayne scicluna
Oct 16th 2012, 20:48
@ Amante Reale....Of course I know what that word means. Unfortunately some people seem to be more equal than others. Men are obliged to wear a jacket and tie when entering the law courts. Women on the other hand seem to have no such clothing distinction. I have seen them entering the courts dressed like they are going to Paceville for a night of fun or else like they are going to wash some floor.
Paul Camilleri
Oct 16th 2012, 12:58
Recently there were people who turned up in court wearing shorts, sleeveless t-shirts and flip flops but nothing happened!!!!!!!
Amante Reale
Oct 16th 2012, 15:43
Exactly!
H. Galea (NRK)
Oct 16th 2012, 12:50
If all his clothes are torn, he should be kept in jail (the time elapsed would not be deductable from the eventual sentence) until such time when he decides to buy good second hand ones or maybe finds a friend willing to lend him some. The is simple, plain defiance and should not be tolerated !! .... hawn hi ! etc etc .......MUST BE DEALT WITH AN IRON FIST !
B. Borg
Oct 16th 2012, 12:48
Next time he will show up in an high-vis organge jump suit will large CCF printed on the back
m busuttil
Oct 16th 2012, 17:36
yes agree 100%
J Degabriele
Oct 16th 2012, 12:45
Are prisons expected to provide free clothing as well?
R. Azzopardi
Oct 16th 2012, 12:44
I recall people being fined for not being properly dressed. This person has nothing to lose. Putting the case off will only mean getting out of prison for a quick visit to valletta another time!
Joseph Micallef
Oct 16th 2012, 12:56
And what about the Marsaxlokk tugs who turned up in court in shorts and t-shirts (those who were just fined 60Euros remember)?
Ian Mamo
Oct 16th 2012, 13:09
ezattt
fred sammut
Oct 16th 2012, 13:18
10 pionts........ il Gwardjan tal habs haseb li sejjer gurnata bahar.....
Maria DeGaetano
Oct 16th 2012, 13:19
If the man has nothing to wear, I hardly see how you can think he's just enjoying the 'day out' to visit the court needlessly. No inmate has a wardrobe from which to select 'appropriate attire'. It's those in charge who have wasted everyone's time by not making sure Mr.Zahra was fit for the courtroom. He is under their responsibility.
George Calleja
Oct 16th 2012, 12:23
Dat-tip ta nies m'ghandhom rispett ghal hadd u jippretendu li jaghmlu li jridu! Il-magistrat messu tah kastig ikbar
Ian Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 12:41
kastig ghax ma ghandux x'jilbes?
stephen mifsud
Oct 16th 2012, 13:18
veru inti ...sure throw him to the lions for ot looking good ????? stop the crap and do what you to do courts .....
fred sammut
Oct 16th 2012, 13:19
il Gwardjan mhux hu.... il Gwardjan suppost jaf kif tmur il Qorti.....
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