San Gwann youths charged with aggravated theft

Two San Gwann men, aged 17 and 20, entered pleas of not guilty and guilty, respectively, to charges of theft of jewelry and other items from the residence of an elderly lady. 

The victim was not present in the house at the time of the theft, however the crime was aggravated by the value of the things stolen.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia gave the 20-year-old some time to rethink his guilty plea, warning him that he could face incarceration, but in spite of this, his lawyer Carina Najiah informed the court that he did not change his plea.

Police Inspector Saviour Baldacchino told the court that the 20-year-old had fully cooperated with the police in their investigations and that he did not feel that a prison sentence would be the best option. 

Noting that the serious accusations exceeded the 2-year punishment threshold for the court to issue a suspended sentence, the court sentenced the elder of the two to a 3-year probation order.

The magistrate sternly warned the youth that he was mistaken if he thought that he gotten off lightly. "You have three years of being under constant surveillance and being assessed by a probation officer and the moment you breach one single condition, I will have no option but to have you thrown you in prison for five years. This is your last chance."

The prosecution opposed bail being granted to the younger of the two due to the risk of interfering with witnesses and the risk of relapsing. It informed the court that he had breached conditions imposed on him by a previous sentence delivered by the court of magistrates last September.

Defence lawyer Marion Camilleri said the concern was baseless, as the court can impose the conditions it sees fit, however the court remanded the youth in custody.