Danish man admits to charges over Paceville New Year fight

The new year got off to a bad start for 22-year-old Emil Pallesen Suhr from Denmark who was accused of fighting with a man in Elija Street, St. Julian’s on New Year’s Day. He was also accused of pushing the man onto the bonnet of a Mercedes taxi and causing damage to the car.

Suhr, who works in customer service and lives in Gzira, appeared under arrest before magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras this morning, charged with criminal damage, using force against the man with intent to insult or annoy, as well as with being drunk and incapable of taking care of himself in a public place.

The youth was also charged with trying to escape from police custody.

Legal aid lawyer Marita Pace Dimech said that the accused had simply panicked when he had tried to escape. He was prepared to pay for the damages, she said. 

Inspector Matthew Spagnol explained that a taxi driver had called the police when he witnessed a fight in which the accused pushed someone onto the car.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges.

The court warned the man that the charges could carry a term of imprisonment, but the accused persisted in his plea of guilt.

The prosecution said it was not insisting on imprisonment, but wanted some form of restriction on the accused and to force him to pay the damages.

Pace Dimech said her client had been in a state of panic during his escape attempt and only now realised what a serious offence it was. Suhr had pushed the third party as the man had pushed him first, she said.

Furthermore, the accused had a clean criminal record, said the lawyer.

Aside from trying to escape, he had cooperated with the police investigation, said the inspector, when asked by the court.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras handed down a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years and a fine of €300. He was also condemned to pay for the damages he had caused within two months.