An unemployed man has been jailed for nine months for punching a traffic policeman who stopped him on suspicion of drug dealing after he saw money changing hands.

Roderick Cilia, 37, from Żejtun, was also jailed a further four months and had a €2,300 personal guarantee confiscated after he failed to respect bail conditions in a previous case.

Mr Cilia was stopped by traffic policeman Paul Falzon on March 17, 2012, in Villambrosa Street, Ħamrun, after he saw him accepting money from another man, Andrew Bezzina. The police officer approached him and asked him to hand over whatever he was holding.

However, instead, Mr Cilia punched the officer and fled, only to be apprehended and charged in court.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit heard Mr Cilia explain how he was approached by a man who did not identify himself as a police officer. He claimed the man snatched his wallet and ran off.

He said he met Mr Bezzina because he still owed him €10 for the sale of a mobile phone. Mr Bezzina confirmed this.

But Magistrate Stafrace Zammit said the court could not believe his version of events, adding that the officer had no reason to snatch his wallet and escape.
She therefore found him guilty of punching the officer in the face, assault, disobeying his orders, threatening him and relapsing.

The magistrate also found him guilty of failing to sign the bail book daily, which was one of his bail conditions so she ordered the forfeiture of the €300 deposit and €2,000 personal guarantee.

Mr Cilia said he did not sign the bail book because he was living in Senglea and was without a car so he could not drive to the Żejtun police station every day as ordered by the court.

Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.