Loudmouth remanded in custody after calling lawyer ‘idiot’ in court

A young man from St Julian’s was remanded in custody by a magistrate this morning, after calling his lawyer an idiot and repeatedly addressing the court out of turn.

Yousef Essesi, 23, was arraigned before Magistrate Miriam Hayman, charged with two counts of aggravated theft from a residence and one charge of theft of a mobile phone, unlicensed possession of a tear-gas dispensing munition, breaching the peace, breaching a condition of a probation order and breaching bail conditions. He was also charged with relapsing.

Not quite the criminal genius himself, Essesi had led the police to him after he took a call on the stolen phone.

Through his legal aid lawyer Chris Chircop, Essesi told the court that he did not want journalists to be present for his arraignment, however the magistrate dismissed this, saying that criminal proceedings are public and that this arises out of the law.

Whilst his lawyer was entering a plea on his behalf, he piped up, loudly asking what he would get if he admitted. The magistrate, understandably irritated, informed the accused in no uncertain terms that this was a court of law, not a pastizzi shop and if he thought that he was going to be permitted to enter into a discussion with the court on his punishment, he had another thing coming.

A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf by the defence.

Police Inspectors Elton Taliana and Jonathan Ransley, prosecuting, objected to bail on the grounds that Essesi was accused of serious offences: aggravated theft as well as breach of bail and probation. “Not only have the courts given him second chances but also the police. He had agreed to pay the owner for the stolen mobile in instalments, but nothing had happened.”

The defence requested bail, citing the presumption of innocence. “If bail is refused, the defence requests a recommendation be made to the director of prisons that the accused be held at Mount Carmel Hospital.”

But Essesi decided to interrupt his counsel again, saying this was not what he had told him and calling his lawyer an idiot. The magistrate took a dim view of his attitude and warned him that if he spoke out of turn one more time, she would find him guilty of contempt of court.

Magistrate Hayman denied his request for bail after taking into account his criminal record and his behaviour in the courtroom. The court, rather magnanimously – given the accused’s behaviour, granted the director of prisons the discretion of deciding where to detain the accused, however.