Magistrate Peralta to mete out jail for foreigners in petty crime

A magistrate told an assembled courtroom he would start dealing out jail terms for the swathe of foreigners who get charged in court on petty crimes, and which usually are let off on suspended sentences before they are deported.

Magistrate Carol Peralta said foreign nationals found guilty of petty crimes could be dealt with very seriously, after delivering judgement in the case of Eliso Iremadze, a 49-year-old woman of Georgia.

Iremadze pleaded guilty to charges of handling stolen property, including two mobile phones and a tablet computer. She told the court that she was aware the items had been stolen but kept them nonetheless.

"The court will stop being lenient with the accused because they are foreigners, and will contemplate effective jail terms when it is within the parameters of law," the m held. The accused was handed a 12 month jail term suspended for two years.

Defence lawyer, Patrick Valentino, argued that the accused, who had been in Malta for two years, was kept under arrest for 48 hours. "It is absurd that she was kept at the lock-up for two days after admitting to the charges. She has been punished enough already.

Prosecuting inspector Jonathan Ransley replied that the police were still investigating the case and could not release the woman as they feared she would prejudice the investigation.