A priest pardoned a drug addict who threatened to burn him alive but the man was still jailed for 10 months.

Stephen Nappa, 29, of Valletta threatened to burn Fr Saviour Grima alive while the priest was saying Mass on Maundy Thursday at about 10.30 a.m. as Mr Nappa stood at the door of St Augustine church, in Valletta.

He admitted before Magistrate Anthony Vella to vilifying the Roman Catholic religion, swearing in public, offending the priest and relapsing.

Police Inspector Pierre Micallef Grimaud prosecuted.

Lawyers José Herrera and Veronique Dalli appeared for Mr Nappa.

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