Convict responds to Magistrate ‘Aw ħi!’, gets case deferred for turning up in torn clothes

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona this morning ordered prison authorities to ensure that a convict who had to start proceedings before him over charges of animal cruelty, be brought to court decently dressed.

Former bus driver Joseph Zahra, of Hal Far and known as 'Il-Gurdien' (the mouse) was not inside the courtroom when his case was called, but entered Micallef Trigona's courtroom calling out "Aw ħi" when he heard his name being called.

Zahra is facing charges for animal cruelty after a number of dogs he owned on his farm were left without water and food while he was kept under arrest.

He started to argue with the prosecution over the charge which was compiled by officers from the Animal Welfare Department. The case has been put off for January, and Zahra was taken back to Corradino Prisons.