Police officer accused of harassing colleague as relationship sours

A lawyer yesterday claimed that the Police Corps had covered up for one of its members in not pressing charges of harassment against his former partner – a fellow police officer.

Dr Arthur Azzopardi told the court that the accused was in the dock to answer charges of using foul language and breaching the peace, when he should have also been charged with harassment and committing a crime he is duty bound to prevent.

Dr Azzopardi said that his client felt that the Police had covered up for her former partner and was also trying to drag its feet and make things difficult for the victim in the hope that she would give up.

Moreover, the lawyer pointed out that this was the second time that the accused had not turned up in court. It is understood that during the first sitting, the accused did not turn up. It was said in court that yesterday, the ac- cused was not duly notified on the pretext that he could not be found. However, Dr Azzopardi argued that it is near to impossible for the policeman not be found when he works at the depot itself.

“All police had to do to notify the accused is cross over to the depot’s courtyard,” the evidently looking irate lawyer said. This prompted magistrate Carol Peralta to issue a warrant of arrest against the accused.

The accused and the victim – who worked in the same squad - had been in a relationship for a while. When the relationship between the two ended, the accused allegedly started to harass his former partner. The accused allegedly turned up at her house (she was with her boyfriend at the time) and caused disturbance and harassed her.

Dr Azzopardi said that a separate criminal complaint had been filed at the Police General Headquarters, but nothing came of it. He said that he has documented evidence to prove his argument, referring to a string of e-mails sent to high ranking police officials.

Magistrate Peralta also ordered the lawyer to present a copy of the criminal complaint to the courts during the next sitting – 29 April. He also ordered two assistant commissioners – Carmelo Magri and Stephen Sammut – to testify during the next sitting.