Thief caught red-handed, ordered to undergo drug rehab

A court has ordered a Valletta man to complete a residential drug rehabilitation programme after he was caught red-handed trying to steal tools from a parked vehicle in Gzira.

32-year-old Claudio Mallia pleaded guilty to the attempt, as well as to having broken into and stolen cash from a restaurant in Pieta.

Prosecuting police inspector Jason Francis Sultana told Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona how, on Monday evening, police reacting to a report of a break-in at La Vela restaurant in Pieta had arrested Mallia in connection with the theft.

Later that day, Mallia managed to escape from custody, only to be recaptured fifteen minutes later on Manoel Island.

Mallia pleaded guilty to the charges, which also included receiving stolen goods and relapsing.

In handing down its sentence, the court, with a view to preventing further reoffending, emphasised prevention rather than mere punishment.

Magistrate Micallef Trigona declared that the accused was to be placed under a probation order for three years and ordered that Mallia successfully complete a residential drug rehabilitation programme. He warned that if caught again, Mallia would immediately be sent to prison, most likely for a long time.

Lawyer Joseph Ellis was legal aid.