Drunken man threatened police after running naked down the street

A 30-year-old Briton who was caught running down the street completely naked and drunk has been placed under probation for two years after pleading guilty to threatening a police officer and to being drunk.

Dominic Peter Hedges – who the court heard has an “acute alcohol problem” – also admitted to breaching public peace, to disobeying police orders, to being drunk, and to being naked in public.

The court heard that on Tuesday night, police were called in at about 11.15pm in Triq Parisio, Sliema, after the accused’s girlfriend reported that Hedges was drunk and out of control.

Hedges was said to have entered his apartment, yelling and threatening to jump off the balcony, before taking his clothes off and running out into the street completely naked.

Informed sources said that when RIU officials went to the apartment, they saw the accused “completely naked, and alcohol could be smelled on his breath.”

The accused then wore a boxer shorts and was taken to the Sliema police station. Once there, the accused is said to have called a police officer ‘stupid’ and also told them that they do not know what they got themselves into. Moreover, the accused is said to have told the police that they would have drag to him if they wanted him to get out of the station.

Appearing in court suffering from a black eye and bruising – injuries he suffered in a drunken fall – the accused admitted to the charges.

In its decree, the court, presided by Magistrate Josette Demicoli, noted that the man had apologised for his actions and that he resorted to alcohol because he was stressed.  

Consequently, Magistrate Josette Demicoli placed the man under a two-year probation.

Inspector Jason Francis Sultana prosecuted, while Lawyer Jason Grima was defence counsel.