PN MP Blasts Magistrate’s ‘Shameful’ Use Of Power After She Compares Colleague To A ‘Prostitute’
Nationalist MP Bernice Bonello has criticised magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace for comparing her colleague, PN MP Janice Chetcuti, to a prostitute after she kissed her cousin on the cheek in a courtroom.
“My utmost solidarity with my colleague and friend Janice Chetcuti who was insulted by Yana Micallef Stafrace,” Bonello said, uploading a photo of her and Chetcuti side by side.
“It is shameful that a magistrate used her power to insult Janice simply for kissing her cousin on the cheek. Her intention was purely to hurt her and smear her reputation.”
Bonello said she is upset that a woman has “attacked another woman simply because she reached a certain position” and warned that such cases only hinder the social progress of women.
“In cases like this, we must put aside partisanship and differences between us and ensure that stories like this don’t repeat themselves.”
Chetcuti, a lawyer, told Lovin Malta that the incident occurred around two weeks ago when she was waiting in Micallef Stafrace’s courtroom for one of her client’s cases to begin.
“The case hadn’t started yet,” she said. “People were walking around the room, the magistrate was talking to someone else, and suddenly my cousin – who is also a lawyer – stepped into the room.
“We hadn’t seen each other for a while, not since before the general election, he approached me and we greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek.”
Chetcuti said she then heard the magistrate screaming through the microphone, claiming she carried out an erotic act and comparing her to a prostitute.
According to Chetcuti, the magistrate shouted out that “not even the worst prostitute who appeared in front of her” (Lanqas l-agħar qaħba criminal li qatt kellhi quddiemi) had ever committed such an act in her courtroom.
Chetcuti said Micallef Stafrace also threatened to fine her for disrespecting the court after she stared the magistrate in the eye and warned her she could defer the case for four years.
“I have no doubt that she did what she did because of who I am and I feel that this is ruining my career,” the MP said. “It is so hard for a woman to find herself in my position, and then the magistrate just came and destroyed it all in a few seconds. It’s unacceptable.”
Micallef Stafrace informed the Chamber of Advocates of the incident and Chamber president Louis De Gabriele confirmed with Lovin Malta that it is currently investigating it.
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