Inmate argues with magistrate over fine

A prison inmate protested against a decision by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja for a €100 fine, after he was accused of offending a prison officer.

Paschalino Cefai felt aggravated that although he had apologised to the prison officer, he was still fined.

“Taking money from me is denying it from my three-year old son”, Cefai argued in court.

He explained how on 20 December last year, he dropped two Panadols on the floor and threw them away. Prison officer Ramon Theuma informed him that he should have handed the dirty pills to the nurse and asked for replacements rather than throwing them away.

Cefai promptly replied "Have you forgotten what used to happen in your time?"

Another prison official was present when the inmate made the allegations. 

Officer Ramon Theuma told the court he accepted the apology and was willing to renounce further criminal action. “The comment upset me because of the aggressive manner in which it was said, as I have no idea what he was implying,” Theuma told the court.

Cefai asked for forgiveness and said he never meant to offend anyone.

Noting the inmate’s apology, Magistrate Aaron Bugeja fined him €100, explaining the punishment was increased as the accused was an inmate and the incident happened inside the correctional facility.

Following his protests, Cefai was taken out of the Magistrate’s hall by prison officers.