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6 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 6 APRIL 2016 News Horse cabbie charged with animal cruelty released on bail Alban Josef Saliba pleads not guilty after being arraigned under arrest on animal cruelty charges for whipping a fallen horse MAT THEW AGIUS A Birkirkara horse cabbie filmed on Sunday whipping a fallen horse was released on bail yes- terday. Alban Josef Saliba was ar- raigned under arrest before magistrate Consuelo Scerri Her- rera on animal cruelty charges. The whipping created a public outcry after mobile phone foot- age of the hapless animal writh- ing piteously on the ground dur- ing its f logging was uploaded on Facebook. Saliba, 33, pleaded not guilty to the charges issued by inspec- tors Lara Butters and Herman Mula. Inspector Mula was asked by defence law yer Joe Brincat how the accused 's other horses were kept. He replied that a vet- erinarian had said the enclosure was small. The accused had told police that he was "trying to get the horse to stand up", the court heard. A number of reports and photos from the animal welfare department were also exhibited. The accused requested bail. Mula objected, saying animals were voiceless creatures that had to be protected. "Had it not been for a passerby who filmed the incident, this incident would probably not have come to our attention." The court noted that the pho- tographs of the stables showed that sores and wounds could be seen on the horses. The defence argued that after his portrayal in the media, no- body had taken into account the fact that the animals were this man's livelihood. The court up- held the request for bail, against a €500 deposit and a personal guarantee of €1,000, on con- dition that he sign a bail book twice a week. MaltaToday is informed that the horse is approximately 20 years old, and had a swollen lump visible on the right front leg. "During the inspection, the horse was frightened," a source priv y to a vet inspection said. "No skin lesions were observed but when the vet tried to put his hand on the horse's back, the horse was nervous and in pain. The owner was asked to put the horse outside the stable and the horse had some issues with its hind limb and was in pain." SPCA demands enforcement of animal welfare laws THE Malta Society for the Pro- tection and Care of Animals (MSPCA) has questioned the validity of animal welfare laws and complained of their "me- diocre" enforcement. "Following the case of the horse whipped in Maghtab, where a magistrate found that the man had good reason to whip it to 'protect' a toddler, MSPCA is questioning the va- lidity of such improved laws if their enforcement is mediocre at best," the society said. "Now that a new case of a horse being whipped indis- criminately has arisen, just days ago, and this time in a public place, which indicates the sen- timent that there should be no shame associated with causing distress to an animal which is already in a compromised situ- ation, MSPCA hopes that the authorities will take this oppor- tunity to enforce the laws and have justice for this innocent animal." MSPCA will attend a protest against animal cruelty on 17 April in St Julian's. The society said there is al- ways room for improvement in the Animal Welfare Act with its numerous additions and amendments over the years, the Electronic Identification of Dogs regulations of 2012 and other regulations on the sale of animals and minimum stand- ards for animal sanctuaries. Veterinarians visited the premises where the accused keeps a number of horses, and pictures they took were displayed in court Reveller fined €500 as Lost and Found arraignments continue MATTHEW AGIUS YET another tourist was fined yes- terday after pleading guilty to drugs charges in the aftermath of the Lost and Found festival last week. 18-year-old Liam Smith, from Manchester, appeared in court un- assisted. Speaking with a thick Mancunian accent, Smith told magistrate Con- suelo Scerri Herrera that he worked in a family business back home in England, adding that he was sup- posed to fly back this morning. Qawra residents complained about the disruptions and general boisterous behaviour of revellers and a number of people have been arraigned over a series of illegali- ties. Smith was fined €500 after ad- mitting to ecstasy possession. Inspector Maurice Curmi pros- ecuted. MHRA calls for cooperation to mitigate disturbances to residents Meanwhile, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has called for stakeholders to work closer together in the organisation of big events that attract interna- tional crowds to Malta. In a statement, the association insisted that working closer to- gether would ensure better or- ganisation and minimise distur- bance to residents, as well as curb any illegalities that may tinge such events negatively. The MHRA also highlighted the importance of hav- ing a programme of diverse events organised throughout the year, particularly during the period from November to March, with a view to further extend the seasonal na- ture of the tourism sector and also increase the diversity of the source markets. The association added that it was pleased to note that the private sec- tor in collaboration with the major stakeholders, namely the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), have over the recent years been making very interesting achievements on this front, "contributing to major improvements year on year in the general growth of the tourism sec- tor." "Our tourism sector needs more diverse events, including music events such as the one organised this weekend, especially in the peri- od between November and March, as these not only contribute to the growth of the tourism sector as a whole, but also potentially lead to area regeneration in different tour- ism zones," MHRA president Tony Zahra said. "We need to look at the wider pic- ture and understand the potential of economic benefits generated by these events, while ensuring that all possible measures are taken by all stakeholders to minimise or even eliminate all inconveniences." Court denies bail to man facing multiple criminal proceedings MAT THEW AGIUS A Birkirkara man was remand- ed in custody yesterday, after a court noted that he is currently facing no fewer than five other criminal proceedings at the mo- ment. 38-year-old stone worker Ste- phen Borg pleaded not guilty to the charges of thefts from two garages. Defence law yer Mark Busuttil requested bail but this was opposed by the prosecution, who told the court that, apart from the thefts, Borg had con- travened five sets of bail condi- tions. Inspector Saviour Baldacchino, prosecuting, said the accused 's former partner was also facing charges. Bail would create a risk of tampering with evidence, he added, pointing out that when the accused had last been re- leased on police bail, the woman had changed her version upon her return. Busuttil asked whether the presumption of innocence was going to be applied. "If he is not granted bail, he will lose his job," he told the court. Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera asked whether the ac- cused has a drug problem. "Not at the moment," said the ac- cused, helpfully. But the court turned down the bail request, citing concerns that he would tamper with evidence. Man jailed for theft one day after release from prison MATTHEW AGIUS A Somali who was arrested yester- day – less than one day after leaving prison – has been jailed again for six months. Inspector Josric Mifsud charged Abdihukun Abdulkadir Mohamud, of Safi, with stealing a Samsung mobile phone and €60 in cash from a woman at the Zabbar Shooting Club on 4 April. Mohamud, who is unemployed, pleaded guilty. "Yesterday I take mo- bile and after five minutes I gave it back to the owner," he later claimed. Inspector Mifsud confirmed that the stolen items had indeed been returned to their owner. Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Her- rera noted that the court could not give a suspended sentence as the accused is a recidivist and neither could it hand a fine as he is indigent. Mohamud had been released from prison the day before, having served time for stealing a truck. Lawyer Martin Fenech was legal aid to the accused. YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt