Addict ordered to undergo rehab after Sliema thefts

A court has ordered a drug addict, who spurned seven previous such opportunities, to attend rehabilitation.

Daniela Spiteri, from St. Julian's, was arraigned before Magistrate Monica Vella this morning on charges of theft, recidivism and breaching previous court orders as well as committing a crime whilst on bail.

Police Inspector Matthew Spagnol charged the 33-year-old, who suffers from drug addiction, with having stolen items from a fashion outlet in Sliema yesterday afternoon. The items stolen were exhibited in court.

Spiteri admitted to the theft charges, confirming her guilty plea after being given time to reconsider.

Legal aid lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar requested the court impose a treatment order to help the woman overcome her drug habit. The accused had since paid for the items, he said.

However, Magistrate Vella noted that Spiteri had frittered away numerous past chances to help herself. "The courts have been very lenient towards you so far," said the magistrate, noting that, in total, the woman had been afforded seven chances to reform.

The court took into consideration the cooperation with the police and early guilty plea, as well as her criminal record. Abstained from ruling on the recidivism charge, the court handed down six-month sentence, suspended for three years, and placed her under a treatment order according to which she must complete a Sedqa rehabilitation program.

The magistrate admonished the accused, “this is not a probation order - you are guilty and have been sentenced to prison. This means that if in the next three years you commit another crime, you will serve six months in prison in addition to the other sentence.

“You are still young and there is still time to get back on the right track.”