Alfred Mouldi, a 36 year-old restaurant dishwasher from Valletta, today was conditionally discharged after admitting in court to threatening and slightly injuring the chef of the restaurant he worked at when a heated argument over tips escalated dangerously.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided over the case of Mouldi, who threw a chair at the chef, as well as threatening him with a meat cleaver in his hand at 6.30pm on Sunday. Mouldi’s charges included breaching the peace and relapsing.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee told the court that the argument started when the accused was caught taking tips from the tip jar.

The defence, led by lawyer Dr Chris Chircop, argued that the man fully cooperated with the police. Also considering that he had owned up to his guilt as well as his previous court cases never having been over serious charges, the defence asked the court to consider minimum sentencing.

Inspector Caruana agreed with Dr Chircop on minor offences; however she also mentioned that, had nobody intervened, the incident could have taken a turn more serious.

Magistrate Vella found the man guilty and handed the man a conditional discharge for one year saying that the case did not merit a suspended sentence. A restraining order in favour of the chef was also ordered by the court.

Mouldi was warned by the court that if he had to commit any other crime in the following one year, that this case would be reopened and the penalties would be harsh.