Jailed for three years after admitting to theft from his father’s scrapyard

Joseph Bonnet was this morning jailed for three years by Magistrate Ian Farrugia after admitting to stealing from his father's scrapyard in Birzebbugia. Bonnet was also accused of relapsing and of breaking a probation order.

Bonnet was arrested on Monday night soon after the police were informed of another break-in at the scrapyard. A Police patrol found Bonnet's car in the vicinity and loaded with five radiators which had just been taken from the scrapyard.

A search in the area led to Bonnet and an accomplice, Paul Camilleri 32 of Bormla to be arrested.

The two men who are unemployed and who are addicted to heroin, cooperated with the police during their investigations.

During submissions, Camilleri explained that this was the first time that he was arrested and had a case before the courts. He was let off with a conditional discharge, but was warned by the Magistrate that he was being given a chance to reform.

"I urge you to accept the fact that you have a drug problem, which you will not defeat by simply finding a job. It must be you to say enough and get help. Otherwise you will be back here, and will be faced by jail," Magistrate Farrugia told Camilleri.

But the Magistrate had a different message for Joseph Bonnet. "Under the circumstances, I cannot let you go lightly. I have to jail you because you have repeatedly stolen from your father, which is an aggravating factor by law, while also relapsing and breaching a probation order."

Bonnet was jailed for three years.

Lawyert Joseph Ellis appeared as legal aid for both the accused.