The appeals court yesterday reduced a fine imposed by the magistrates’ court from €250,698 to €17,579 after it found that the magistrates’ court had miscalculated the date when the fine had to be imposed.

On 12 April 1994, the magistrates’ court had ordered Paul Agius to demolish an illegal construction which was situated in the Landrijiet area, limits of Rabat, within three months, and fined him €174. The court also ordered a daily fine of e58 if the building was not demolished within three months.

On 10 May 1995, Mr Agius was accused of not obeying the court order, and in 2004 was fined a total of €250,776.

However, Mr Agius filed an appeal before Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono claiming that the total amount of the daily fine imposed should not have been calculated from the date the original judgement was given on 12 April 2004, but three months later starting from 12 July.

In handing down his judgement, Mr Justice Galea Debono said that the fine should have been calculated between 12 July 1994 and 10 May 1995, and, as a result, reduced the fine from €250,776 to €17,579.

Police Inspector Roland Cassar prosecuted.