He wanted to report the noise from construction work at a neighbor’s house, and got angry with the police officer. Now, he had to answer for the crimes of insult and defamation, and was ordered to pay a fine.
The case happened on February 9th of this year. During the afternoon, a resident of Queluz, in Sintra, wanted to report a situation of noise produced by works that were taking place in a neighbor’s apartment.
The police officer answered the phone and explained the legal provisions set out in the General Noise Regulations, says .
However, the man rebelled against the PSP, and said: “Things don’t work like that! I know how they work! That’s not how it is, man!” The PSP agent then told him that I was unable to continue that call. He hung up the phone.
But the man didn’t give up and decided to call again. The police officer explained the procedures that the individual should adopt when faced with noise, but the accused interrupted him, calling him “beast”. The police disconnected the call again.
He called a third time. Another police officer responded. “Where is your stupid colleague who answered my call?” asked the guy. And that’s what earned him a fine.
In the ruling to which JN had access, it is stated that calling a PSP agent a “beast” “does not translate into criminal harmlessness“, but “it is likely to harm the criminal legal assets protected by incriminating norms”. Therefore, the man was sentenced to pay €750 fine.
Furthermore, the Court explains, the insult given by the defendant attacks “personal honor and professional of the target”.
