Parliament this evening started debating a bill moved by the Opposition raising penalties for those convicted of threatening or assaulting policemen and other public officers.

The bill was moved by Jason Azzopardi, opposition spokesman for home affairs, who said there should be zero tolerance of those who threatened or assaulted public officials during the course of their duties. They included members of the armed forces and the civil service, doctors, paramedics, nurses, teachers and LSAs.  

The Opposition, he said, is proposing three amendments: an increase of two grades (to a maximum of 13 months’ imprisonment) for those convicted of  threatening a public officer; a prison term of between six months and two years for those convicted of assault, and a maximum of four years imprisonment when the offender is armed or the violence is premeditated.

The penalties may rise in line with other provisions of the criminal code in line with the consequences of the crime. 

There can be no suspended sentence, a conditional discharge or probation.

Dr Azzopardi said the purpose of this bill was to create an effective deterrent and to convey the message that bullying, threats, intimidation and violence would not be tolerated.

Unfortunately, he pointed out, there had been sentences which were too mild.

He paid tribute to all those who carry out their duties with loyalty and dedication, especially those who were wronged but had not received the justice they deserved.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Justice, Owen Bonnici, said that the government agreed that a message be sent to society that offences against public officers would not be tolerated, but wondered how the previous administration did not find the time to move forward such simple amendments in 25 years of office.

He disagreed with the proposed amendment which excluded probation in such cases and restricted the discretion of the courts to give a lesser sentence for special and extraordinary reasons. He said these formed part of restorative justice and the proposed amendment went against this spirit.

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