A 35-year-old man from Birkirkara was sent to a year in prison he was found guilty of threatening officers at the Msida police station.

The court heard how on 13 September, Joseph Compagno went to the police station under the influence of alcohol and started to threaten the police officers on duty. Compagno stood charged with breaching public peace, threatening the police officers and disobeying their orders, being drunk in public and swearing in public. It appears the police had to use a taser gun to stop the accused.

Inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca who is leading the prosecution also explained that the man breached bail conditions imposed on him by two previous courts presided by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli and Magistrate Anthony Micallef Trigona in court proceedings which date back to 2016.

The man admitted with the court that he has a severe alcohol addiction problem and that he has tried to seek help in the past. The magistrate heard how Compagno did in fact attempt to complete a drug rehabilitation programme at least three times but was unsuccessful.

The accused pleaded guilty to all the charges. The court, noting the circumstances of the case, the man’s addiction but also taking into consideration the breaching of bail conditions, sentenced the man to a year in prison. He also lost his €5,000 guarantee which were tied with bail. The magistrate ordered the prison authorities to send the man to an alcohol addiction programme as soon as possible.

Legal aid lawyer Noel Cutajar defended the accused.