A quarrel over a missing dog bowl in Xewkija, Gozo escalated into threats, stone-throwing, and a public-order breach.
Court of Magistrates (Gozo) as a Court of Criminal Judicature · Magistrate Dr. Jean Paul Grech B.A., LL.D, M.Juris (Int. Law), Adv. Trib. Eccl. Melit · 28 April 2026
On the evening of 19 June 2023, Dolores Pulo, a tenant who had been renting a stable at the Ta' Spagu farmhouse in Xewkija, Gozo, went to collect her belongings — including dog bowls and a lead — from the farm's owner. When she arrived, she discovered that one bowl was missing, and at the same moment the new tenants, Joanne Agius and her partner Jason Sammut, arrived on the scene. A heated argument broke out, with Pulo insisting that three bowls had been left behind, while Agius maintained there were only two. The dispute quickly escalated beyond words. Pulo alleged that Agius had tried to topple her motorbike and threw her helmet to the ground, and that she had been physically attacked, producing a medical certificate to prove her injuries. For their part, Agius and Sammut denied initiating any violence, stating that it was Pulo who had thrown the helmet and stones in their direction and had hurled insults at them. Both parties ended up filing police reports, and criminal proceedings were initiated against both Pulo and Agius. The Court examined the evidence carefully and found that the argument had clearly spiralled out of control. It was established that Pulo had insulted both Agius and Sammut, and had thrown stones and a helmet in their direction — satisfying the elements of the charges of threats with objects and insults. On the public-order charge, the Court noted that the confrontation was sufficiently alarming to cause Sammut to ask Agius to remove their child from the scene to prevent the child from becoming caught up in the altercation. The Court found Dolores Pulo guilty on all three charges: voluntarily disturbing the public peace through shouting and noise; threatening Jason Sammut by throwing stones or other hard objects; and insulting and threatening both Jason Sammut and Joanne Agius. In addition to the fine, the Court invoked Article 383 of the Criminal Code to impose a security bond, binding Pulo to maintain the public peace for one year.
Dolores Pulo found guilty on all three charges under Articles 338(dd), 339(1)(b), and 339(1)(e) of Chapter 9, Laws of Malta. Sentenced to a combined fine of €50. Additionally bound under Article 383 of Chapter 9 by her own recognisance for a period of one year, under penalty of €500.
Criminal Code Ch. 9 — Articles 338(dd) (breach of public peace), 339(1)(b) (threats with objects), 339(1)(e) (insults and threats), 383 (security bond to keep the peace)