Man on the run jailed for nine months

A man who was wanted for breaching bail conditions and arrested on 2 March in Kennedy Grove, limits of Bugibba, was jailed for nine months after admitting to breaking bail conditions three times, failing to obey police orders, violating property, relapsing and breaking a probation order.

Jeffrey Cassar, 29, of Mosta, was also ordered to pay €21,000 as bail was revoked after admitting to breaching it in front of Magistrate Francesco Depasquale. If he fails to pay the said sum, he will face another18-months in prison. He also admitted to trying to escape police by entering a neighbour’s apartment in St. Paul’s Bay.

Cassar has been on the run for the last three months and is also facing charges of theft in different cases.  Cassar was first spotted by police patrols in Bugibba but fled in a taxi.

Upon realising that police officials were following him, Cassar dived into the water in Kennedy Grove and swam across the sea in Salina. Police then captured him after discovering the man hiding in a hole.

Cassar is facing charges of vehicle theft in separate court procedures.  The 27-year-old was put on the wanted list after he breached bail conditions. Cassar had to sign at a police station on a daily basis, but he only complied with this condition for a week.

Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili defended Cassar while Senior Inspector Josric Mifsud and Inspector Joseph Busuttil led the prosecution.