Man charged with attempted arson of Police Inspector’s garage

A man who is facing a series of fraud cases, was charged in court this afternoon with the attempted arson of Economic Crimes Unit prosecutor Inspector Angelo Gafa.

Duncan Buttigieg had been labelled in court by lawyer Franco Debono as a person with a “colourful criminal record.”
Duncan Buttigieg had been labelled in court by lawyer Franco Debono as a person with a “colourful criminal record.”

Duncan Buttigieg, 29 of Ghaxaq was remanded in custody this afternoon after pleading not guilty of attempting to burn down Inspector Angelo Gafa's garage last Tuesday.

Buttigieg was charged with conspiracy to commit the crime, and of relapsing.

He was immediately escorted to Corradino Prisons and held under preventative arrest.

'Colourful record'

Last September, lawyer Franco Debono had labelled Duncan Buttigieg as a person with a "colourful criminal record."

Debono had made the remark when questioning how Buttigieg was fined €500 despite admitting to drug possession and relapsing.

Buttigieg had testified that he had a serious drug problem, was spending between €3,000 and €5,000 a month to sustain his habit and had racked up a debt of €100,000 with a number of people. He was a witness against Conrad Axisa, who was charged with usury.

Buttigieg had claimed that he owed a small sum to the Axisa, who allegedly  threatened to shoot him in the knees every time he went to buy drugs from him.

They then managed to come to a deal whereby Buttigieg would pay Axisa €650 in €50 instalments, however, once he paid the amount, Axisa claimed he was owed a further €650, which had to be paid at one go.

Buttigieg said he was also told by Axisa to start trafficking drugs for him and it was at that point that he went to the police.

Fraud

Duncan Buttigieg was charged in 2011 with defrauding the company belonging to former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo of some €3,000.

He was also charged with using false documents and someone else's password.

The charges also included making a profit to the detriment of N.M. Arrigo and relapsing.