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Phone thief handed 12-month jail term
Relapsing thief and drug addict handed a year's jail term after pleading guilty to theft of phones.
21 August 2013, 12:00am
Chris Mangion
Chris Mangion
1 min read
Shalon Abela, 20 of Qormi pleaded guilty to stealing from clients at the Splash and Fun park in Bahar ic-Caghaq.
Inspectors Josric Mifsud and Elton Taliana told the court how the youth, who is known to have a drug problem, admitted to having committed thefts in 2012.
While under arrest, Abela told the police how this year he had stolen a mobile phone from the water park but had stolen three mobile phones and an ice watch from the same place last year. He also admitted to relapsing.
Defence lawyer Cedric Mifsud said the accused had collaborated with the police and had started a drug rehabilitation programme which he quit after eight months.
Magistrate Gabriella Vella held that the accused had to start and complete a rehab programme while serving a one-year jail term.
Abela's lawyer appealed from the court's decision.
Chris Mangion is MaltaToday’s photojournalist, joining the newspaper in 2013.
In 1995...
Luke Camilleri •
What about VICTIMS getting rehab programmes to overcome the traumas and losses of being victims of theft not only of material objects BUT OF THE ASSOCIATED MEMORIES with objects stolen!
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How can one replace an engagement ring, a wedding ring, baptism , holy communion mementoes, gifts from loving partners, loving children?????
Practically nothing is ever returned to victims and these precious loot, pawned or SOLD OFF TO PAY OFF LAWYERS!
