An angry reaction to a customs officer's request to view personal 
documents, has landed a Malian man a suspended jail sentence and a €4,500 fine.

Bamba Doucoure, 26, kicked up a fuss late last Saturday evening at the Virtu Ferries Terminal in Marsa.

The incident was sparked off by a request by customs officers to see Mr Doucoure’s personal documents, a request which brought about vociferous objections by the man who banged and shouted.

During his arraignment on Monday, Mr Doucoure pleaded guilty to having violently resisted, threatened and slightly injured a police constable who was on duty at the terminal.

He also admitted to having disobeyed the lawful orders of the police and customs officers whilst wilfully disturbing the public order and peace.

Upon the man’s own admission to his wrongdoing and in view of the nature of the offences, the court declared him guilty and condemned him to 12 months imprisonment suspended for three years.

The court also imposed a €4,500 fine payable in €150 monthly instalments. The accused was further bound not to approach his victim, the police officer, under a penalty of €1,500.

In a final warning, Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras told Mr Doucoure: "You have to calm down'.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee prosecuted.
Lawyer Noel Cutajar was legal aid defence counsel.