A guest at a five-star St Julian's hotel who admitted to causing a ruckus in his room in the early hours of the morning was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to pay a fine today. 

Adam Kazimierz Antonowicz, 38, was arraigned on charges of having threatened or harmed the police officers, disobeying their lawful orders and disturbing the public peace. The man was also charged with having threatened a woman, allegedly also residing at the hotel, while under the influence of drink.

Mr Antonowicz, a Polish national on a four-day visit to Malta, was allegedly in the company of a friend and a couple at the time of the commotion.

The court, presided over by magistrate Josette Demicoli, heard how yesterday evening the party of four had gone out for dinner at a St Julian's restaurant, returning to the hotel late in the evening.

At some point, a female guest at the hotel was allegedly insulted by the accused. Some time later, the four were interrupted by a knock on the door announcing the arrival of two police officers and hotel security personnel who began to search the room. At some stage, Mr Antonowicz resisted the officers and was taken under arrest.

Testifying in court, Mr Antonowicz's roommate declared that he was not aware that his friend had insulted or threatened any woman. It had all happened ‘in a flash’, remarked the man, adding further that he had known his friend for many years and knew him to be a calm person who would never threaten anyone.

However the court, after hearing submissions by both parties and in the light of the accused's own admission, declared him guilty and condemned him to a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. The man was further ordered to pay a fine of €1,500 and to do so with immediate effect.

Before leaving the courtroom, the man was severely warned by the magistrate to avoid getting into further trouble. “You have to be very careful and not drink too much because when you drink too much you might lose control,” were the magistrate's parting words of advice.

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted. Lawyer Joseph Ellis was private counsel to the accused.

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