Magistrate Joe Mifsud upheld a one-month jail term, that was handed down by another magistrate for contempt of court. 

Tarquin Vella, failed to return for a sitting last January regarding a maintenance issue before Magistrate Anthony Vella. 

Vella's sitting was postponed at the time till the legal aid lawyer was summoned, however the accused failed to appear when the court reconvened. This resulted in a jail term being given.

Lawyer James Piscopo on behalf of the accused, said that the law did not provide for the courts to jail someone for failing to attend a court sitting.

Prosecuting lawyer Annemarie Cutajar argued that the accused's decision to leave constituted 'unbecoming behaviour', mentioned in law.

Magistrate Mifsud rejected the defence's arguments.