After confessing in court to harassing and stalking Malta’s acting president, Helena Dalli, 57-year-old Ivan John Grima Hammett has been given probation and a treatment order.
Grima Hammett pleaded guilty on Monday before Magistrate Leonard Caruana to posting a string of TikTok videos alleging Dalli was a “traitor of Malta” and suggesting she was dishonest. Police reported Dalli felt tormented after seeing the internet recordings.
Hammett first resisted being ordered to delete the material following his arrest.
The legal assistance attorney said the defendant was pleading guilty since his religious and personal beliefs “do not permit him to lie.” Frankie Sammut, the prosecuting superintendent, concurred that the offense could result in a jail term or penalty but suggested instead a probation and treatment order, noting Hammett as someone who obsessively records and comments on news events.
Sammut cautioned that claims of corruption have to be supported by proof and warned against a small penalty since it would not solve the root problems. The defense approved the probation recommendation, pointing out that Grima Hammett also tends to his aged mother.
Grima Hammett erupted into an outburst at the hearing, demanding Dalli’s resignation and attacking same-sex parenting. He also gave out “Jesus loves you” stickers and stated in court, “I do not masturbate, and I do not curse.”
To safeguard Dalli, Magistrate Caruana issued a two-year probationary order, a treatment order, and a restraining order. Additionally directed the removal of the problematic films from Facebook.
Grima Hammett yelled as he left the courtroom, “Thank you, Jesus! God bless you! May the sinister eye exit this room.
Inspector Karen Cassar prosecuted, and Noray Galea served as defense counsel.
