Harsher penalties against those convicted of assaulting public officials came into force yesterday following amendments to the criminal code which were recently approved by parliament.

The amendments had been tabled in a private members bill presented last June by Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi.

Addressing a news conference at the Palace’s courtyard, Dr Azzopardi said that in recent years there was a surge in people convicted of assaulting public officials including members of the police force, teachers as well as nurses and doctors in hospitals.

Following these amendments it is no longer possible for a court to give a sentence below the minimum recommended by law. In addition fines would still have to be imposed even when those guilty are handed a suspended sentence.

People convicted of threatening or using violence against any public official now face a minimum of one year in prison and a €4,000 fine.

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