Man admits to drunkenly damaging cars, handed suspended sentence

A Libyan man has received a suspended sentence after he admitted to causing damage to two parked cars and private property in St Julian's whilst drunk early on Sunday morning.

Ben Nael Abumeniar, 35, appeared in court before magistrate Neville Camilleri this morning, having been arrested for damaging two cars and a house's front door in what is thought to be an-alcohol-fuelled act of senseless vandalism.

Abumeniar was charged with three counts of criminal damage – all under €250 in value, as well as with being drunk in a public place and breaching the peace.

The Libyan, who does not have a fixed address, pleaded guilty. He repeated his guilty plea, even after the court warned that he could face imprisonment for his actions.

With the assistance of a translator, the accused confirmed his admission.

In their submissions, prosecuting inspector Trevor Micallef and legal aid lawyer Victor Bugeja both argued that a suspended sentence would be a fitting punishment, in view of Abumeniar's early admission and lack of prior convictions.

Abumeniar was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two.