Italians charged with insulting police officers

Two Italian men have been conditionally discharged for three years after pleading guilty to insulting police officers in Paceville.

The court heard how on Saturday, the accused, Francesco Nanni, 32, and Michele Stefanelli, 26, both of Italy, were drinking with their girlfriends at a bar in Paceville at around 2am. The prosecution explained that a neighbour phoned the St Julian’s police station complaining about the excessive noise coming from the bar.

Subsequently, when the police arrived on site, they heard the accused swearing and insulting the police. In their report, the police officers claimed that the two Italian men insulted them. Prosecuting inspector Jason Francis Sultana told the court that no violence or threats were directed against the police.

Despite the accused’s clean criminal record, the prosecution requested that the court imposes a suspended sentence on the accused – a request heavily opposed by the defence who claimed that a suspended sentence could put the accused’s job in jeopardy.

The defence claimed that the “incident could have easily been avoided had the police handled the situation better,” and also argued that there were other people who were swearing.

Standing before the court, Nanni and Stefanelli pleaded guilty to insulting police officers, to breaching the public peace, and to swearing in public.

In its decree, the court noted that the men had apologised for their actions, but notwithstanding their apology, the magistrate reprimanded the Italian men, warning them that it is “unacceptable” to insult police officers, and that if they do it again “they could be sent to jail.”

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja conditionally discharged the accused for three years and fined them €100 each.