Lawyer Mario Mifsud and career criminal Paschalino Cefai are both facing charges over a recent incident at the Gozo courts.Cefai is being charged with threatening and insulting Mifsud, his brother – magistrate Joe Mifsud – and their mother, as well as disturbing public order and violating bail conditions. His bail has also been revoked.However, Mifsud is also being charged with two of the same alleged offences – ie threatening or insulting Cefai and disturbing public order during that sitting. The charges are of a contraventional nature.Cefai, who has a long criminal record that includes stabbing a man in court, had been charged over a new case, while Mifsud was in court as the parte civile lawyer representing the alleged victim.According to court documents, the court ordered Cefai to leave the courtroom after he made comments and allegations against Mifsud and his brother.Cefai alleged that Magistrate Joe Mifsud had smuggled a bottle of whiskey into prison and drank it with him. He started pacing around the courtroom and raising his voice even though the police tried to calm down the situation.The court ordered Cefai to leave the courtroom but he eventually requested that he be allowed to re-enter. The court allowed him to do so and Cefai apologised for his behaviour.However, during the sitting, Cefai reiterated his allegation that Magistrate Mifsud had smuggled a bottle of whiskey into prison, insulted Mario Mifsud as a ‘barri’ (cuckold) and alleged that his elderly mother prostitutes herself in Gżira. The magistrate tried to stop him but he got more and more aggressive until the courts ordered the inspector present in the courtroom to take him to the police station for an urgent investigation.Both Cefai and Mifsud are now facing charges.Mifsud, a former army officer, has previously served as the lawyer of Corradino Correctional Facility and its former director, Colonel Alex Dalli.He has faced a number of charges in the past. He was arraigned twice over threatening behaviour but the alleged victims withdrew their complaints in both instances.He is also being charged with allegedly biting a client’s nose during a fight outside his legal office. He is pleading not guilty and said he acted in self-defence, with video evidence to prove it.Cover photo: Left: Mario Mifsud (Photo: Facebook, Right: Paschalino Cefai (Photo: TVM)•