Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/362477
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 13 AUGUST 2014 News 4 COURT NOTICE By a decree of the Administrative Review Tribunal of the 28th October 2013, the publication of the following extract was ordered for the purpose of service in terms of Article 187(3) of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure (Cap.12). Administrative Review Tribunal Magistrate, Dr Gabriella Vella LL.D. Application number 302/12 VG Marsec-XL Foundation Vs Commissioner of Value Added Tax. The Tribunal, viewed the acts and reappoints the application for submission of evidence by the applicant company to Tuesday 27th November 2012 at 12:15 p.m., as subsequently put off to the 9th October 2014 at 11:15 a.m. Orders that a copy of this decree be served on Marsec-XL Foundation Vs Commissioner of Value Added Tax. Dr.Gabriella Vella, Magistrate Service: Marsec-XL Foundation, Vaults 13-15 Valletta Waterfront,Floriana Registry of the Courts of Magistrates (Malta), today 30 th July 2014 STEFANIA SCICLUNA For the Registrar, Civil Courts and Tribunals Married couple accused of running Gzira brothel, remanded in custody DANIEL MIZZI A husband and wife were yesterday remanded in custody after plead- ing not guilty to running a brothel, to living off the earnings of prosti- tution, and to loitering. The court heard that the accused, Theresa Cutajar, 60, and her 25- year-old husband, Elmleti Moham- ed Saad, live in Testaferrata Street, Ta' Xbiex. They stand accused of using their home as a brothel. Prosecuting inspector Jason Fran- cis Sultana told the court that the police had received reports from the landlord of the property in Testaferrata Street, who informed them that his tenants were using the premises as a brothel. Inspector Sultana also said that these claims were "confirmed" by Spiridiona Caruana, a 47-year-old woman who last week admitted to running a brothel and prostituting women in Gzira. "Last week, she [Caruana] admit- ted to working for the accused, and told the police that the accused's home was being used as a brothel. Moreover, two other prostitutes confirmed that they were working there," the inspector said. The prosecution added that after receiving the reports, the police searched the accused's home. "Inside the residence, a large bag containing condoms, baby wipes, female clothing, and sexual para- phernalia were discovered during the search," the inspector told the court. Arguing against the arrest of the accused, defence counsel Jason Azzopardi took exception at the police's decision to arrest Cutajar, who during court proceedings was crying, and Saad, saying that there was no fear of their absconding. Moreover, counsel told the court that the police's suspicions are not justified. The defence also claimed that a "man well-known to the police and who is involved in the running of brothels" threatened the accused, and also claimed that this man em- ploys a prostitute and is expected to testify against the accused. Magistrate Marseann Farrugia dismissed the defence's plea, argu- ing that given the seriousness of the crimes, the arrest of the accused is justified. Meanwhile in submissions for bail, Azzopardi argued that Cutajar has several health problems, and that she is taking care of a 12-year- old boy whom she had adopted af- ter having found him abandoned in Testaferrata Street at only a month old. On his part, Inspector Sultana insisted that the accused should be remanded in custody as otherwise, the witnesses' testimony could be inf luenced. The court upheld the prosecution's plea and remanded the accused in custody. Gozo man hospitalised before arraignment over illegal firearms Illegal cigarettes, ammunition confiscated JOHN PISANI GOZITAN CID Police raided the "Id-Dura Pet Shop" in Viani Street, Victoria, on Monday evening, after receiving a tip-off that illegal arms were to be found inside the shop. Led by Inspector Frank Tabone, the police raided the establish- ment just after 8pm, when they found the owner of the shop, John Sultana. A search was conducted and the police found 10 shotguns, ammu- nition consisting of pellets smaller than that allowed by law, and more then 18,000 cigarettes on which no duty had been paid. Sultana was arrested and taken to Victoria police station and kept for further investigations. Gozitan police were expected to arraign Sultana without delay, but Sultana had to be hospitalised at noon when he complained of suf- fering pain in his abdomen. The police on duty called for medical assistance and Sultana was rushed to Gozo General Hos- pital by ambulance. No confir- mation about Sultana's condition could be had but his court case has been put on hold until he is dis- charged from hospital. Minor gets probation over mephedrone trafficking DANIEL MIZZI A 17-year-old youth who admit- ted to trafficking mephedrone and to abusing drugs since the age of 13 has been placed under a probation order for three years after the court ruled that prison would render the accused's re- form "useless." The court heard that back on June 16 last year, the accused, whose name has been banned by court order, was arrested in Paceville on suspicion of drug trafficking. A body search on the then-16 -year-old yielded two sachets of mephedrone. During his subsequent inter- rogation, the minor confessed to police that on that night, he had sold two sachets of mephedrone for €10 each. He also admitted to have taken one sachet of mephe- drone himself. Magistrate Natasha Galea Scib- erras also heard that the accused had been abusing cannabis since the age of 13. Probation officer Mary Rose Farrugia testified that the youth's drug problem was all down to bad company, and said that the accused only abused drugs due to peer pressure. Moreover, the probation of- ficer told the court, the youth had since his arrest learned his lesson and has reformed. Urine tests have also tested negative for any illegal substances. The court noted that even though drug trafficking warrants a minimum six month imprison- ment, prison would render the accused's progress and reform "useless." Notwithstanding the law bind- ing the courts to hand down a prison sentence, Magistrate Galea Sciberras ruled that the accused's age, his clean criminal record, and cooperation with the police must mitigate his punishment. Consequently, she placed the youth under a probation order for three years after finding him guilty of being in possession and of trafficking mephedrone on July 2013, and also fined him €115 for being in possession of cannabis grass and resin during the pre- ceding months. Inspector Johann Fenech pros- ecuted, lawyers Kris Busietta and Jason Azzopardi were defence counsel. Barman jailed for stealing whiskey, handling stolen tools DANIEL MIZZI A 26-year-old barman residing in St Paul 's Bay was yesterday sentenced to six weeks in prison after pleading guilt y to shoplift- ing a bottle of whiskey from a su- permarket, and to handling stolen tools valued at around €800. The theft occurred on Mon- day at about 9:15am, when Milan Glusec, 26, originally from Ser- bia, was caught stealing a bottle of Jack Daniel 's worth around €20 from Shop Inn Supermarket in Triq it-Turisti, St Paul 's Bay. Prosecuting inspector Godwin Scerri told the court that upon ap- prehending the accused, a search warrant was issued and the police searched Glusec's residence in St Paul 's Bay. Inside, police discovered tools that were stolen from a hut in Cospicua in July. The tools are valued at around €800. The police however acknowl- edged that the accused may not have been involved in the theft, and that he may have unknowing- ly purchased them without realis- ing they were stolen. Glusec initially admitted only to shoplifting the bottle of whiskey, but after the court told him that he must either admit to all the charges or plead not guilt y, the man recanted his plea and admit- ted both charges. Inspector Scerri told the court that a suspended sentence would suffice and argued that the ac- cused would be deported, while on his part, the defence argued in favour of a conditional discharge. Notwithstanding the pleas, Magistrate Marseann Farrugia jailed Glusec for six weeks. The court also ordered that the man be deported once he completes his punishment, a move that, ac- cording to the prosecution, would make the accused "happy."