Court messenger found guilty of smuggling penknife into court

A court messenger has been handed a €180 fine after being found guilty of trying to smuggle a penknife into the law courts last year.

The incident occurred on 6 November 2012, when the accused, 56-year-old Armando Debono, entered the law courts in Valletta. He was subsequently caught by a security guard trying to smuggle the penknife in a concealed package.

Sources told MaltaToday that the case was initially put off pending further investigations by the prison director. However, charges were pressed when the man was found to be in possession of another penknife while strolling drunk in Valletta.

The man pleaded guilty to smuggling the penknife, of breaching the public peace and good order, and of being drunk in public.  

He was fined a total of €176.47.

Inspector Kylie Borg prosecuted.