A 44-year-old man who parked his van on a double yellow line in San Ġwann and verbally abused a LESA officer before spitting at her has been handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and fined €2,000.

James Grima was found guilty by Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech in a judgement delivered on Tuesday, after the court concluded that the officer's version of events was credible, while the accused's testimony was inconsistent.

The incident occurred in 26 April 2025 in Naxxar Road, San Ġwann. Testifying in court, the LESA officer explained that she was carrying out her routine duties when she spotted a van parked on a bend, obstructing visibility.

She said she initially called out to the driver and asked him not to remain there for long, explaining that the vehicle was positioned too far out and was obstructing her view. She told the court that issuing a fine was not her initial intention. 

According to the officer, the driver responded by shouting insults and making aggressive gestures. She said she got out of her vehicle and decided to issue a ticket after his reaction.

The officer alleged that the accused continued insulting her and spat at her before she issued the fine and reported the incident to the police.

The officer also recounted a subsequent encounter on 3 June 2025, when Grima approached her in another street and apologised for his actions.

She told the court that he claimed she had sent people to beat him up, an allegation she denied. 

The officer affirmed that she did not feel threatened during that encounter but reported it to the police as a precaution for her safety.

Grima denied insulting or spitting at her.

He admitted that he had parked on double yellow lines near a corner, explaining that he had been making a delivery on a Saturday and could not find parking because vehicles were occupying the loading and unloading bay.

He argued that he had not obstructed traffic and claimed that the LESA officer had stopped in the middle of the road before getting out to issue the ticket. 

The court, however, found his account unconvincing.

The magistrate noted that Grima had displayed an 'antagonistic' attitude while testifying, to the extent that he was fined for contempt of court.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech observed that if Grima struggled to control his anger even in front of a court while attempting to defend himself, it was difficult to believe that he had not retaliated against the officer when she told him she would issue a ticket despite his protests.

The court also pointed to inconsistencies in his testimony about whether he had been outside his van at the time of the incident.

It ultimately accepted the officer's account over the accused's, and found that the officer was a public official carrying out her duties.

Grima was found guilty of all the charges brought against him, including parking too close to a corner or bend, failing to remove an obstruction when requested, insulting or threatening a public officer in the execution of her duties, and spitting in a public place.

In determining the sentence, the court considered the nature of the offences, Grima not being a first-time offender, and the fact that he had not apologised for his conduct.

The court handed him four months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and imposed a €2,000 fine.