Youth who elbowed police officer fined €4,000

An 18-year-old Briton on holiday in Malta who elbowed a police officer and resisted arrest was today fined €4,000 and given a 15-month jail term suspended for three years.

The accused, Thomas Morrison, was arrested shortly in St Julian’s after the police had given chase to a man suspected of being involved in an argument between four people. The court heard how after being caught up by Sergeant Andrew St John, the accused elbowed the officer and continued the run.

After he was eventually caught, the accused tore the shirt of a police officer and damaged his watch.

Standing before Magistrate Josette Demicoli, Morrison, who was arraigned under arrest, initially denied the charges, but subsequently recanted his not-guilty plea and admitted to slightly injuring a police officer, to resisting arrest, and to causing €200 worth of damage.

The court ordered the accused to pay the €200 worth of damage within two days.

Police inspector Matthew Spagnol prosecured, while legal aid lawyer Joseph Ellis appeared for the accused.