The owner of Palazzo Castelletti restaurant in Rabat was convicted of permitting loud music disturbing neighbours, causing night-time noise disturbance, and allowing an unlicensed substitute to run the establishment. He was acquitted of the main licensing charge.
Court of Magistrates (Malta) — Criminal (District Rabat) · Magistrate Dr. Monica Vella LL.D., M.Jur. · 27 October 2023
On 17 June 2022 at around 9:15pm, police attended the Palazzo Castelletti Restaurant in Triq San Pawl, Rabat. Keith Psaila held the establishment's licence. Police found the venue was using a loud speaker/amplifier audible outside and causing disturbance to neighbouring residents. The restaurant was also operating under an unlicensed substitute — Ivana Ranisavljevic — without the required regulatory authorisation. The court acquitted Psaila of the main licensing charge (not displaying licence copies prominently) finding the evidence insufficient, but convicted him of three charges: permitting amplified music disturbing neighbours, causing night-time noise disturbance, and permitting an unlicensed substitute to operate.
Guilty of charges 2 (failing to supervise and prevent offences as person responsible), 3 (amplified music disturbing neighbours) and 5 (permitting unlicensed substitute). Acquitted of charges 1 and 4. Fine of €2,000.
Criminal Code Ch. 9 Art. 338(m) (night noise); S.L. 409.15 Regs 12, 16, 17 (entertainment licensing); Ch. 409 (permit to operate — unlicensed substitute)