Suspended sentence for Frenchman who insulted the President

A court has handed a suspended sentence to a French citizen, who admitted to calling the President of Malta “a bitch.”

Magistrate Josette Demicoli heard how Frenchman Rudy Bauduin, 32, who lives in Gzira and whose mother is Maltese, was arrested on Sunday night after walking into a police station and cursing at a picture of the President.

Inspector Jason Francis Sultana told the court how, on the 6 September at around 10:30pm, Bauduin had gone to the Sliema Police Station, of his own accord, to speak to the police.

The officer who was speaking to the man could not understand what he was saying, at which point Bauduin pointed at a photo of the President of Malta, which was hanging on the wall of the station and said “that woman is a bitch, the President is a bitch,” before turning to walk out of the police station.

He was challenged by police as he turned to leave, and when asked, refused to provide identification or give his particulars. When he was warned that this would result in his arrest, Bauduin persisted. The officers informed him that he was then under arrest and ordered him inside the station, but he tried to walk away again, necessitating the police physically pull him inside.

Whilst he was being searched the accused began to struggle violently and ended up headbutting a police sergeant, slightly injuring him. A French ID card was found on his person and his identity was confirmed from this document.

The man was charged with showing disrespect to the President, using violence against a public officer, disobeying a legitimate police order and breaching the peace, but the charges relating to the struggle were dropped during the sitting.

The accused, wearing an olive green t-shirt and camouflage cargo shorts, standing with his hands in his pockets, replied that he lacked the financial means to appoint a lawyer of his own choosing. The court appointed lawyer Martin Fenech as legal aid.

Speaking in broken English, although assisted by a translator, the accused pleaded guilty and apologised for his actions. Asked to confirm his guilt, he said he was and then attempted to say what sounded like “it was a very small headbutt.” before being interrupted by his lawyer. “He is pleading guilty, your honour,” said Fenech.

 “The important thing is that you don’t repeat it,” said the magistrate.

Bauduin was sentenced to three monthsi prison, suspended for two years. The court explained the import of this sentence to the accused.