Man who assaulted police during Mepa action gets €5,000 fine

A man who threatened policemen during a Mepa enforcement action in Zejtun yesterday has been fined €5,000 and given a suspended prison sentence.

Alexander Abela, 43, admitted to assaulting and threatening a public official, assaulting a police constable, threatening a police inspector and another constable, swearing in public, disobeying police orders and breaching the peace.

He also admitted to keeping a loaded shotgun at home.

The court heard how Mr Abela and his son were arrested yesterday after causing a commotion during an enforcement action in Zejtun. Mepa officials had gone to the site owned by Mr Abela to remove old vehicles and other materials.

Mr Abela confronted the officials and assaulted one of the police officers. Additional officers, including personnel from the Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) were called on site.

Shortly after Mr Abela was arrested, his son, 16, went out on a balcony and threatened the officers with what later turned out to be a toy gun. He was arrested after police surrounded the building. He  will be arraigned in the coming days.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit noted that Mr Abela had admitted the charges at an early stage...