The court yesterday fined a man Lm100 for breaching bail conditions but did not order his re-arrest after it heard how he had been out on bail for 13 years – 10 of which he had been waiting for his judgement.

Paul Zammit was charged with breaching bail conditions, before presiding Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, after he was caught outside his house at 6am.

The court heard how Mr Zammit had a pending court case before Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna who granted him bail, in September 1994, on various conditions that included that he was to be indoors between 8.30pm and 9am. He was also bound by a Lm400 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm600.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera noted that Mr Zammit’s court case had been put off for judgement during the past 10 years even though he was always present for each scheduled sitting.

The court said that given the circumstances, Mr Zammit did not deserve to be re-arrested or that his deposit and personal guarantee be confiscated.

However, the magistrate pointed out that breach of bail was a crime and fined him Lm100.

Police Inspector Victor Aquilina prosecuted.