Man unwell to sign bail but fit enough to ransack house

Christopher Scerri, 34 of Pieta and Mario Camilleri, 44 of Zebbug were remanded in custody over charges of theft committed while Scerri was allegedly sick.

Officers from the Qormi District apprehended the two men moments after they broke inside a residence in Windmill Street, Zebbug.

Initially the two officers found nothing suspicious on site, however close examination revealed abrasions near the door lock. Since, the door was still locked, a police sergeant forced the door open and upon entering the house came face to face with the accused.

One of the men was holding a long screwdriver in his pocket and the police searched the rest of the house.

The police discovered that one of the bedrooms had been ransacked, however nothing was stolen from the house belonging to a 76-year-old woman who at the time of the crime was in chruch.

Prosecuting Police Inspector Fabian Fleri informed the court that Scerri had not signed his bail book for a number of weeks and a medical certificate covered his absence.

Inspector Fleri questioned the validity of the medical certificate stating that, "while Scerri seemed unwell to go sign the bail book, he was well enough to attempt a burglary".

The two were accused of attempted theft, causing damage and relapsing. Scerri was also accused of breaching bail conditions in three separate cases while Camilleri was accused of breaching the conditions of a previous release.

The accused were remanded in custody.

Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for Scerri while John Mizzi appeared for Camilleri.