One year in jail for teen who broke sergeant’s jaw

Magistrate Neville Camilleri held that the court had no alternative but to impose an effective prison term, as this was the third time since 2011 that Mercieca had been charged with crimes against the police. A conditional discharge in 2011 and a suspended sentence in 2012 did not deter the Fgura youth from causing further trouble with the police.

The incident happened during the Boogie Nights party held at MFCC in March this year, when the police were informed that a youth in a white suit was handing out suspicious items. The police identified Malcom Buttigieg and escorted him from the VIP area. The accused formed part of the group which accompanied Buttigieg. After the sergeant searched him and found nothing, Buttigieg called him purcinell. When the sergeant attempted to arrest Buttigieg, Mercieca punched the sergeant in the face and fled the scene with Buttigieg.

The two suspects were apprehended by the police and, in an attempt to resist arrest, threw themselves on the ground, but the police managed to get them into the patrol car and take them to the Floriana lock-up.

Dr Andrew Atkins told the court that following the incident he examined PS404 Paul Camilleri, who had suffered grievous injuries.

Five officers corroborated the prosecution's version of events and told the court how the accused had repeatedly insulted the officers, resisted arrest and denied hitting PS Camilleri. After the police managed to handcuff the accused, he admitted to punching the sergeant but kept provoking the officers and challenging them to even the odds and punch him back. He also threatened that his father, 'Pawlu is-Suldat,' would avenge him.

Magistrate Camilleri found the youth guilty of all eight charges levelled against him and sentenced him to 12 months' imprisonment.

Inspector Herman Mula prosecuted.