Police vs Anthony Dimech — Drunk Man at Rabat Venue Fully Acquitted of Assaulting Police and Public Disorder

Anthony Dimech (67) was charged with assaulting police, threatening officers, obstruction, being drunk, swearing and breach of peace after an incident at a venue in Rabat. He was acquitted of all seven charges.

Court of Magistrates (Malta) — Criminal (District Rabat) · Magistrate Dr. Monica Vella LL.D., M.Jur. · 24 July 2024

On 24 July 2022 at 1:30am at the Giardini Lambrosa venue in Rabat, 67-year-old Anthony Dimech was involved in an incident with police sergeants PS 2145 and PS 1021. He was charged with assault on police, threatening officers, obstruction of police, being drunk, swearing in public, breach of peace, and insulting security guards. After examining all the evidence, the court acquitted him of every single charge.

Full acquittal on all 7 charges — assault on police (Art. 95), threatening police (Art. 96), obstruction (Art. 338(ee)), drunk in public (Art. 338(ff)), swearing (Art. 338(bb)), breach of peace (Art. 338(dd)), and insulting security guards (Art. 339).

• Even when multiple police officers testify, the prosecution must still prove each specific charge beyond reasonable doubt
• Being present at a rowdy venue does not automatically make someone guilty of all the charges that arise from that venue
• A full acquittal on all charges means the accused walks free without any penalty or record of conviction from that case

Criminal Code Ch. 9 Arts. 95, 96, 338(bb), 338(dd), 338(ee), 338(ff), 339 — all charges dismissed for insufficient proof