Career criminal given last chance to rehabilitate

Silvio Pace, 42 of Hamrun, who last year ended a lengthy jail term for his involvement in an explosion in Paola 20 years ago which killed a mother and her baby, faced Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit this morning and heard his probation officer tell the court that she couldn't guarantee anymore for him.

Probation officer Marica Lanzon said that Pace, who has been in and out of prison since he was 16 years old, had a difficult upbringing, where his mother would justify his wrong, while his father was always drunk and beat him and his mother.

Over time, Silvio Pace faced two trials by jury, was found guilty numerous times for a string of criminal cases, and now, once out of prison he has turned to alcohol and become violent.

"If only he listened to our advice, he would not be here in court again," Lanzon told Magistrate Stafrace Zammit, while lawyer Veronique Dalli attempted to explain to the court that the case her client was being accused was that of receiving stolen goods.

Pace was arrested in September after assaulting and resisting police officers and slightly injuring them.

He was stopped while driving, and officers asked him for his insurance documents, but handed them

marriage separation documents instead.

When they asked him to search the car, Pace allegedly became aggressive and attempted to hide some  tools.

Pace became so aggressive that he had to be restrained with the use of a taser gun.

On arraignment, Pace was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 on the basis that the accused had four children who needed looking after. Pace was also placed under probation.

During this morning's sitting, the probation officer said that although some progress has been noted, Pace only started to attend alcoholic addiction classes recently.

"He only started to attend because he found himself with his back to the wall," Marica Lanzon told the court, also stating that probation services could no longer guarantee for him.

Concluding the sitting, Magistrate Stafrace Zammit warned Pace that this was his last chance to make a concrete move to rehabilitate himself and to continue reporting to his probation officer.

Failure to attend rehabilitation classes or keep on the right path would leave her no choice but to order his immediate incarceration.