Drug offender fined, given a chance to change his ways

Christopher Joseph Xuereb, 33 of Luqa was fined after pleading guilty to drug possession.

The case dates back to 2 June last year when at around 1:30pm, the police apprehended Xuereb in Luqa. The accused was searched and was found to be in possession of heroin. Prosecuting inspector Jurgen Vella charged Xuereb with drug possession, committing an offence during the operational term of a suspended sentence and relapsing. The accused pleaded guilty.

The defence informed the court that, unhindered by a prison term, the man has now found a job that will help him stay on the straight and narrow.

The prosecution said that noting the accused’s will to change his ways, it is not insisting on an effective jail term and would not be calling into force the consequences of Xuereb’s violation of a suspended sentence.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras commented that while the accused fully cooperated with the police and filed a guilty plea early in the proceedings, the court cannot overlook his police record. Xuereb has been previously convicted of drug possession and theft.

Magistrate Galea Sciberras found Christopher Joseph Xuereb guilty as charged, and fined him €850 which can be paid in €50 instalments. The court also ordered that the term of four years outlined in Xuereb’s previous suspended sentence will restart from today.

Inspector Jurgen Vella prosecuted.