Birżebbuġa Man Fined €1,200 and Put on Probation Over Threats and Illegal Shotgun
A 48-year-old man threatened to shoot his partner's son and himself during a domestic argument on 22 August. He pleaded guilty and was fined €1,200 with a three-year probation order.
Birżebbuġa resident sentenced after threatening partner's son at gunpoint
A 48-year-old man from Birżebbuġa has been fined €1,200 and placed under a three-year probation and treatment order after pleading guilty to charges arising from a domestic dispute that involved threats and an illegally held shotgun, Lovin Malta reports.
The incident occurred on 22nd August, when police were called to attend an argument between the man and his partner. During the altercation, he threatened to shoot himself and his partner's son.
Officers were subsequently informed that a firearm was present in the room where the man was staying. Upon arrest, police recovered a shotgun found to be unregistered and held without a licence.
The man faced multiple charges: threatening his partner, carrying a firearm without the required licence, possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and recidivism. He pleaded guilty to all counts and maintained his admission after the court allowed him time to reconsider his plea.
Magistrate Nadia H. Vella, in handing down the sentence, took into account the early guilty plea and the accused's criminal record, as well as submissions from both the prosecution and defence that favoured a rehabilitative approach whilst safeguarding the victim.
In addition to the €1,200 fine and the three-year probation and treatment order, the man was banned from holding a firearms licence for five years and issued a three-year restraining order in favour of his partner. The shotgun was confiscated by the state.
The accused was represented by lawyers Marion Camilleri, Franco Debono and Fleur Abela. The prosecution was led by Inspector Christiana Cauchi.
Source: Lovin Malta