Three men today pleaded guilty on animal cruelty charges, following their arrest in connection with the cockfighting raid last Sunday.

Around 30 people were arrested after a police raid in Qormi. These are the first three arraigned in connection with the case.

Prosecuting Inspectors Roderick Agius and Colin Sheldon brought the three forward on charges relating to causing animal suffering, animal mistreatment and failing to keep animals in accordance with standards.

The three men were Johan Saliba, 37 from Birkirkara, Adrian Pace, 22 from Qormi and Matthew Micallef, 21 from Birkirkara. 

Describing the situation that led to the arrest, the prosecution said that they had received an anonymous tip that organised cockfights were taking place in Qormi. Police went on site and interviewed a number of people there. After interviews occurred, the police were able to identify these three as habing been involved in the cockfights.

Dr Edward Gatt said that his client, Matthew Micallef admitted that the films on the phone were taken by him, and that his client was not involved in the cockfights.

Dr Franco Debono and Dr Amadeus Cachia appeared for Johan Saliba, and stressed that their client is a first-time offender and was a spectator. They argued that their client cooperated with the authorities, and that he pleaded guilty and thus the punishment should be close to the minimum possible.

Dr Ludwig Caruana argued that his client, Adrian Pace, was a spectator and was not the person who organised fights. He said that the court should take his client’s cooperation into consideration and said that the minimum penalty should be given.

The prosecution said that the crimes that the men committed are still crimes, and shouldn’t be played down as the defence was attempting to do. The prosecution also admitted that the three did cooperate with the investigation.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella said that a decision on the case will be taken tomorrow. The defence requested bail and the prosecution did not object. The three were granted bail against a €10,000 guarantee, and have to turn up in court tomorrow at 9am for the sitting.