Police case against teen party organiser dismissed on appeal

A court has dismissed an appeal by the Attorney General after teen party promoter Joel Caruan was acquitted of  slandering and defaming the police on Facebook. The 25-year-old - who was twice convicted of engaging in sexual activity with minors - had taken to Facebook to write that he had not been granted a permit to organise a party.  Superintendent Carmelo Bartolo testified that he had learnt of an impending party at a Paceville establishment, which was being promoted through a poster bearing the logo of "JoelC Events and Marketing". The poster had been flagged by the Children's Commissioner. The venue was later changed to an establishment in Hal Far. The police phoned Mr Caruana to inform him that he could not organise the party because he had no permits. Mr Caruana allegedly replied that he had no problem with their instructions.  Mr Caruana then posted on Facebook that the police had failed to issue him with a permit.  The police found his Facebook commentary on the matter to be insulting and defamatory and had filed charges which included misuse of electronic equipment, committing a crime during the operative period of two suspended sentences and relapsing.  After the...

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