Magistrate Abigail Lofaro severely rebuked a woman for never turning up in court in a case that has been pending for the last five years, adding that she will be passing sentence in the final sitting even if no witnesses turn up. She also warned Mrs Charles that if she did not come to court for the verdict, she would have her arrested.

Anthony Spiteri, the owner of a structure that was illegally built in Zejtun, was ordered by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano that he could either pull down the building or he would send the police to do the job and they would present him with the bill. The court heard how MEPA had issued a warning on the structure in 2000 with the accused saying that he simply kept the room for his dog. Magistrate Quintano then ordered Spiteri to explore the possibility of applying for a permit for the said room within the next few days.

A woman was issued with a warrant for arrest which was speedily revoked by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano. Dr Paul Vassallo explained that Maria Caruana could not come to court as she had to help her husband who is an invalid. The case is based on some minor alterations to Caruana’s residence in Zejtun.