Homeless man picks the wrong pocket, ends up in jail

One Romanian pickpocket will be regretting his choice of target, having been jailed this morning for attempting to pick the pocket of an undercover police officer.

Valeriu Moraru was jailed for two months after being arraigned before Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech this morning, charged with attempting to pick the WPC's pocket on a public transport vehicle on Tower Road, Sliema on April 30.

Morariu, who is both homeless and unemployed, pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Romanian had committed the thefts because he was expecting money from abroad, his lawyer explained. The defence informed the court that the accused was going to fly home next week. But it was unclear how he was going to pay for the flight as he only had €50 on his person – a fact which the court immediately picked up on.

Inspector Jonathan Ransley told the magistrate that Morariu had been in Malta since the 23rd, for reasons which were unclear to the police.

Malta used to be considered a safe destination, the inspector argued, as he asked the court to impose a sentence that would send a message of deterrent to foreign criminals, who are causing an increasing number of incidents.

Lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar, appearing for Morariu, replied that the court's task was to deliver a sentence, taking into account the accused's clean criminal record, not a message.

“We are talking about an attempt of what may well be shown to be simple theft. There has been an admission even at the statement stage.”

Magistrate Frendo Dimech pointed out that the criminal record would only list crimes committed in Malta. She asked the prosecution if it would have been possible to obtain an updated criminal record through EU channels, but the court was informed that the process took longer than the 48 hours within which a person arrested must be charged.

The defence argued in favour of a suspended sentence, arguing that there was a common misconception that it was a light sentence.

“You have a sword dangling over the head of the individual. That the court has the reach over a person for a number of years is stronger deterrent than sending him to prison for a couple of weeks.”

The court, however, said the accused had little reason not to reoffend, bearing in mind the fact that he only had €50 on his person, no income and nowhere to stay.

Morariu was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.