Bomb hoax call was inspired by game sound effects, court hears

A court has been told how three cleaners at the Floriana Health Centre had allegedly made a hoax bomb threat at their workplace after being inspired by sounds from a mobile phone game.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee was testifying in the case against Tiziana Vella, Sandra Ellul and Christine Spiteri, who are accused of making the fake phone call on 29 January 2015.

Magistrate Joseph Mifsud heard how the inspector, having been on duty at Valletta police station on the day, had received a phone call from staff at the Floriana Health Centre, who told her that they had received a bomb threat.

The police had investigated and traced the phone calls to a mobile phone belonging to the mother of one of the accused, who explained to police that her daughter would use the phone.

Summoned to the Valletta Police station, the mother and daughter were questioned and Tiziana Vella had eventually owned up to having made the prank call, together with two of her colleagues.

Vella stated that whilst at work with the other two accused, the women had decided to make the hoax call “after playing a game which featured explosion sound-effects.” Vella’s mobile phone was used.

The women were admonished by Inspector Caruana Lee and warned not to repeat the action, which had led to the evacuation of the health centre and a fruitless search by the Bomb Disposal Unit and police dog section.

The case continues.

Inspector Caruana Lee is prosecuting, whilst lawyers Arthur Azzopardi, Franco Debono, Angie Muscat and Paul Lia are defending the accused.