A suspended police inspector has been jailed for two months suspended for three years after being convicted of threatening four of his colleagues while drunk outside the police depot in March 2012. 

Jeffrey Cilia, 42, was found guilty of 13 of the 19 charges brought against him including those of threatening former Police Commissioner John Rizzo, assistant commissioner Lawrence Cauchi and superintendent Dominic Micallef in Floriana. He was also found guilty of threatening Police Inspector Louise Calleja, his former partner, and trespassing her Sliema home.

The incident happened on the night of March 29 at 9.30pm when mobile squad officers came across a BMW X5 being driven erratically. They chased the car and ordered the driver to stop but he ignored them. Eventually, he was brought to a stop outside the Police Headquarters when two police cars blocked his path.

In an ensuing series of events outside the depot, Mr Cilia called Mr Rizzo a “cabbage from Cospicua” as he was entertaining an EU delegation. 

Magistrate Ian Farrugia heard how the relationship between Mr Cilia and Inspector Calleja had turned sour and how he had threatened to kill her when she refused to take his calls.

Apart for this personal issue with Inspector Calleja, the court noted there was "bad blood" between Mr Cilia and former commissioner Rizzo. This was over a separate incident in which he allegedly was involved in a fight with some people in Paceville. Criminal proceedings on this case are still pending. 

Magistrate Farrugia heard how Mr Cilia had failed the breathalyser test and had been driving under the influence. 

In his judgment, Magistrate Farrugia said the entire incident was due to an emotional matter after the relationship with Inspector Calleja went south. This was made worse with the introduction of alcohol, the magistrate said. 

He found him guilty of threatening the police officers and his former partner, dangerous driving, driving at excessive speed and under the influence of alcohol. He was also found guilty of breaching the bail conditions imposed over the Paceville incident. 

In his considerations, Magistrate Farrugia said that Mr Cilia was a first time offender and had admitted his mistakes. 

"Although the court understands and sympathises with Mr Cilia on this emotional problem with his former partner, it cannot but remark about the harassment and undignified behaviour with his superiors, especially former commissioner Rizzo, the magistrate said as he referred to a report by a probation officer that Mr Cilia had registered progress. 

The magistrate also noted how Inspector Calleja's brother, assistant commissioner Pierre Calleja, had forgiven Mr Cilia and had renounced criminal action. 

"The court believes that justice must be done but there won't be complete justice unless it is accompanied by mercy. The court also cannot ignore the fact that Mr Cilia has two young children. This humane perspective cannot be sidelined," the magistrate said.

He condemned him to a two-month prison term suspended for three years and fined him €2,000. He also disqualified him from driving for six months. 

The magistrate also issued a three-year restraining order in favour of Inspector Calleja and former commissioner Rizzo and their respective families. 

Police inspectors Carlos Cordina and Darren Buhagiar prosecuted. Lawyer Joe Giglio appeared for Mr Cilia while lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared parte civile for Inspector Calleja. 

 

 

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