'Shipbuilding administrators deliberately inflating copper theft value' - Lawyer

A lawyer appearing for a seriously addicted drug user obtained a court order to have his client's left arm photographed, in a bid to contest an allegedly "inflated" charge of stealing €30,000 worth of copper from the yard at the former Malta Shipbuilding Plant in Marsa.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli appointed forensic expert Dr. Mario Scerri to photograph the visibly swollen arm of 33 year-old Johann Joseph Spiteri of Fgura, who was remanded in custody this afternoon for the alleged theft.

Spiteri, who was arrested yesterday, was also charged with relapsing and breaching bail conditions, when he allegedly returned to the yard to steal copper. Because of yesterday's arrest, Spiteri forfeited €5,000 which was the personal guarantee imposed by another Court for the similar crime.

Lawyer Andy Ellul - who appeared for Spiteri - told the court that he was baffled by the charges brought against his client.

"We all know that dozens of people have been charged with copper theft from the former Shipbuilding site, and it is also known that the value of theft is being deliberately inflated to justify and cover for many other losses inside that plant," Ellul said, adding that evidence of this was the fact that it was impossible for Spiteri to steal €30,000 worth of copper and carry it all, notwithstanding the condition of his arm.

"My client cannot even lift a plastic bag, let alone steal and carry €30,000 worth of copper," he told the court.