Carmelo Dimech, 55 and his two sons Ludwig, 31 and Melchior, 32, prevented the police and Mepa officials from carrying out their duties when they went on site on January 24, 2007 to demolish the second floor of a building which they said had been built illegally. The building was used for car and tyre services.

 

Scuffles broke out between the police and the men. 

The top floor was still demolished eventually.

 

Apart from trying to prevent the officials from carrying out their duties, breaching the peace and being unruly, Ludwig Dimech was also charged with biting then Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat during the scuffle. 

 

The court observed that the Dimechs protested strongly against the action, claiming the property had been built for them by the Transport Authority (ADT) as compensation after another property that was expropriated to make way for a new road built for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting two years earlier. 

 

They said the building was part of the agreement struck with then Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett since their land had been expropriated when the road was widened. 

 

After hearing the explanations, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli said pretended rights did not give the Dimechs the excuse to be unruly and prevent the authorities from carrying out their duties.

 

She sentenced Carmel and Melchior Dimech for a year in jail suspended for two years and sentenced Ludwig Dimech, who had the bite charge added to his accusations, to 18 months suspended for two years.

 

Police Inspectors Alex Miruzzi and Marisa Cassar prosecuted while lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha appeared for the men.