Man pleading guilty to aggravated theft granted bail to complete rehab programme

A court has granted bail to a 32-year-old man accused of aggravated theft so that he can complete a rehabilitation programme at San Blas drug rehabilitation centre.

Michael Ellul, a baker, admitted in open court to stealing a wall sander, a Black and Decker welding set and other items from a Birkirkara tool store on 18 March between midnight and 8am. 

Ellul was charged with theft aggravated by value, which was estimated to be no more than €2,329, of voluntarily causing damage to third party property, of committing a crime while serving a suspended sentence and of relapsing.

Ellul’s defence council, Arthur Azzopardi, made a request for bail, asking the court to order the man to return to San Blas to continue treatment for drug addition.

A pre-sentencing report has also been requested in view of the accused’s guilty plea.

The prosecution made no objection to the requests made by the defence, pointing out that the accused had voluntarily started his rehabilitation programme three weeks earlier and had also cooperated fully with the police.

Some confusion arose as to whether the accused had been charged of the crime while serving a suspended sentence, however the courts, upon glancing at his criminal record, found this not to be the case.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, presiding over the case, granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000, and imposed strict conditions that the accused must go directly to San Blas.

Inspector Rodrick Spiteri prosecuted.