A man who was fined Lm1,000 after being found guilty of punching and slightly injuring a Malta Environment and Planning Authority enforcement officer had his fine increased to Lm3,000 and a two-year jail term suspended for four years added to his punishment after an Appeals Court upheld the Attorney General’s appeal.

The court heard how on 30 August 2003, Carmel Dimech, 44, from Zebbug punched Ronnie Vella in the face when he approached him. Some time later, Dimech threw a stone at Mr Vella but this did not hit him.

Handing down his judgement, Chief Justice Vincent de Gaetano upheld the Attorney General’s argument that the Magistrates’ Court had given Dimech a punishment that was lower than that prescribed by law.

The Court of Criminal Appeal noted that Dimech had no fewer than 34 convictions on his criminal record, with crimes ranging from assault to resisting public officials to causing bodily harm.

Chief Justice de Gaetano said that Mepa enforcement officers, just like any public officer, should be given all the necessary protection. He therefore fined Dimech Lm3,000 and jailed him for two years suspended for four years.

Police Superintendent Raymond D’Anastas prosecuted.