Somali youth admits to theft charges

Ahmed Salad Mahmoud, a 17-year old Somali national, was handed a suspended jail term after pleading guilty to four charges of theft in the St Julian’s area.

The migrant youth resides at Hal Far Open Centre, but social worker Charmaine Attard told the court that he spends little time there. “I’ve known him since February and he was never problematic or involved in fights. However he’s always running away and hanging out with bad company. It is not the first time we reported him missing and then he returns”, she said.

Prosecuting inspector James Grech explained how the man was apprehended after one of the victims gave investigators a detailed description of the culprit. “He's been involved in multiple thefts but refused to tell officers who the others are. Victims are being robbed, mugged and threatened with knives.

"The accused fits the description of one of those involved in these robberies. When he goes, out he drinks and loses control. He needs help but keeps refusing it” the inspector told the court.

Ahmed Salad Mahmoud was charged with aggravated theft to the detriment of James Grech, the aggravated theft of a handbag belonging to Irish national Catherine Phelan and handling stolen property. A bag full of stolen items was found in his possession.

A mobile phone, a purse and a passport belonging to the Irish woman were returned to the rightful owner. The police are still tracing who the other items belong to.

The youth admitted to all charges.

In his submissions, the prosecuting inspector said that for the accused’s own benefit, he should be handed a jail term to ensure he receives the help he needs. “He gets drunk and gets in trouble. Yet when he had possession of the bag with stolen items he was not drunk. He keeps refusing help, misses his medications and runs away from where he lives”, Inspector Grech said.

Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo argued that while agreeing that the youth needs help, imprisonment is not the solution. “We should make him realise that the road he’s taken will only lead him further into trouble. He has a clean police conduct and should be given a chance to change his ways”, Bartolo said.

Magistrate Antonio Vella handed the accused a six-month jail term, suspended for three years. He also placed Mahmoud under a probation order.