A 23-year-old man suffering from psychiatric problems was conditionally discharged for three years after he pleaded guilty to sending a death threat by e-mail to Maria Ros Camilleri, a coordinator in customer care with the Health Ministry.

In the e-mail, Christian Gauci, 23, told Ms Camilleri that if she did not find him a job quickly, he had a Berretta gun and he was ready to use it.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale told the man that he understood he was without a job but there were a lot of people who were unemployed and he could not behave in this manner.

Interjecting, defence lawyer Franco Debono told the magistrate he was exaggerating the number of unemployed.

Magistrate Depasquare also ordered for a probation officer to keep an eye on Mr Gauci for three years.

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