Theft suspect growls, barks at magistrate

A police inspector has said that a Somali man arraigned on theft and assault charges, who growled and contorted himself in a courtroom as a bemused magistrate looked on, was feigning madness to avoid criminal charges.

A growling 19 year-old Ahmed Abduwili appeared before magistrate Gabriella Vella this afternoon, hands shackled and with a mask over his face to stop him from spitting.

Inspector Melvyn Camilleri explained that Abduwilli, who barked at police at points during the sitting, had been arrested after climbing onto a private roof in Birzebbugia. He was accused of trespassing, refusing to give his details to police, failng to obey police orders, making obscene utterances in public and violently resisting arrest.

The inspector said the man had been acting strangely since his arrest, but had been assessed by a medical professional and certified to be sane.

At a point during the sitting, Abduwili, still handcuffed, swivelled around and hooked his legs on the back of the accused bench, back towards the magistrate.

In view of the fact that he gave no coherent reply to any of the court’s questions a not guilty plea was registered on his behalf. He was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Francine Abela was legal aid.