Law & Order
Youths refuse breathalyser, beat police officer
By MaltaMedia News
Aug 26, 2007 - 8:07:25 PM

Two youths, 21-year-old Wayne Delia, Fgura resident and another 16 year old were arraigned in court on Sunday morning in front of Magistrate Dr. D. Clarke.

The youths were accused of attacking and obstructing a police officer in St Andrew's Street in St Julian's, at around 23:15CEST on Friday. They were also accused of injuring the Police officer, and voluntarily causing damage to his mobile phone and uniform. The two were also accused of breaking the Court's order of not committing further crimes, and of breaking the public peace.

Wayne Delia was also accused of trying to corrupt the Police officer, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and refusing to take a breathalyser test.

The accused pleaded not guilty and were granted bail against a Lm 100 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm 200.  They  were also requested to sign at the police station.

The incident occured on Friday evening when a  Police officer was attacked by four Maltese youths who refused to do the breathalyser test. The officer was punched in the face and head. The youths who were driving a hired car were stopped by the officer who suspected that they could be under the effect of excessive alcohol intake.

Following the procedures, the Police officer asked the driver to get out of the car to undergo the breathalyser test. It was at this point that the four youths attacked the officer who tried to defend himself. The officer who was alone on routine at that time, called for assistance by other members of the Police Corp who were on duty in relation the feast of St Julian.

The youths were apprehended by the police and further investigations yielded a number of joints in their possession. Only the driver is over 18 while the other three youths are minors.