Morning Briefing
Defence urges court not to impose maximum sentence on Lorin Scicluna
The defence has urged the court not to impose the maximum prison sentence on former Armed Forces of Malta soldier Lorin Scicluna, following his conviction on two of nine charges. During submissions on punishment on Wednesday, lawyer Edward Gatt argued that sentencing should reflect only the offences for which his client was found guilty and should not be influenced by public outrage over the jury’s verdict. Scicluna was acquitted of the murder of Lassana Cisse Souleymane and the attempted murders of Mohammed Jallow and Ibrahim Bah, as well as four other charges. He was convicted by a six-to-three majority of grievously injuring May Malimi in a February 2019 hit-and-run and unanimously found guilty of driving without registration plates. Prosecutor Abigail Caruana Vella called for the maximum penalty, citing the victim’s serious injuries, including fractures requiring surgery, and the fact that he was left at the scene. Gatt argued that Scicluna had already endured years of hardship facing the more serious accusations. (Maltatoday)
Public cannabis smoking to carry €235 on-the-spot fine
People caught smoking cannabis in public will face a €235 fine under the on-the-spot penalties system, Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield announced on Wednesday. Bedingfield said the measure was intended to strengthen enforcement against individuals who smoke cannabis in public, despite the practice remaining illegal. Although the €235 penalty already exists under the law, it will now be included among the fines that can be issued on the spot. The minister called for greater action against people who disregard the rules and inconvenience those around them by smoking cannabis in public places. “I want to see more enforcement against those who do not respect the people around them and smoke cannabis in public against the law,” he said. The announcement forms part of efforts to ensure that existing restrictions are enforced more consistently, with the authorities able to penalise offenders directly rather than relying solely on the existing legal procedures. (The Malta Independent)
1,357 people register for work in September
A total of 1,357 people were registering for work last September, an increase of 271 compared with the same month in 2025, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office. The number also rose by 29 compared with August. Men accounted for 847 registrations, representing 62.4% of the total, while women made up the remaining 510, or 37.6%. Registered unemployment increased across all age groups when compared with September last year. The number of people with disabilities registering for work also rose, increasing by seven over the same period. Clerical support occupations remained the most sought-after category among those registering for work, accounting for 29.3% of all registrations. The figures indicate an increase in the number of people seeking employment over the year, with men continuing to account for almost two-thirds of those registered. (The Malta Independent)