Man acquitted of theft over lack of legal assistance

Anton Vasallo, 33 of Zabbar, was acquitted of alleged theft after a court said it had not been convinced of his guilt.

Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi accused Vassallo of the theft and damage to the Nationalist Party club premises of Tarxien, back in September 2002. The accused pleaded not guilty.

No evidence was submitted by the defence to counter the charges filed by the police.

The evidence brought forward by the prosecution included a statement of the accused in which he admitted being involved in the incident. However, Vassallo was not given the right for legal assistance during the taking of the statement.

The court declared that in view of recent Constitutional decisions such a statement could not be accepted as evidence.

The prosecution also submitted a report by court expert Joseph Mallia, who said the fingerprints of the accused had matched those found on a packet of cigarettes on the scene of crime. However the court concluded this was not enough to prove Vassallo was guilty of theft.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman acquitted the Zabbar man.

Dr Franco Debono appeared as defence while Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi prosecuted.