A man who had been jailed for a month for contempt of court failed to overturn the decision, after a court ruled that his punishment reflected his inappropriate behaviour and so was in line with the law.

The request was filed this afternoon by Tarquin Vella, who last November had failed to turn up for a court sitting, which had been suspended so that he could trace his legal aid lawyer. When proceedings resumed, later that day, the man was no longer present and was found guilty of contempt pf court.

In his decision, Magistrate Joe Mifsud this afternoon deemed the man’s behaviour inappropriate and so upheld the decision of the first court. Lawyer Robert Piscopo signed the application.