Hamrun murder victim's father granted bail after pleading not guilty to charges of theft

Silvio Pace, the father of murder victim Brandon Pace, was granted bail after pleading not guilty to charges of theft.

Pace, 48, from Hamrun, was arraigned in court today charged with stealing €4,000 from an apartment in Xemxija early in the morning of 25 March.

The apartment serves as the residence of the Carmelite friars who are responsible for the Church in Xemxija.

The court, presided by magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, heard a monk form the home recall how at around 7.30am on 25 March, he was returning to the apartment after mass when he saw a blue vehicle parked alongside the road. Shown a photo in open court, the witness confirmed that it was the same vehicle.

Silvio Pace

The monk explained that as he approached his residence, he had spotted a man stepping over the railing of a veranda which led into another monk's room overlooking the street.

Upon catching sight of the witness, the intruder had pulled up his hood and made off, the court heard.

When asked whether he recognised the suspect in court, the witness nodded in the direction of the accused seated in the dock.

Pace had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence made a request for bail, pointing out that since the arraignment much had changed in his client's life.

Pace’s son, 21-year-old Brandon, was stabbed to death during an argument outside his Hamrun residence on Sunday.

The court, presided by magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, granted Pace bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.

The defence pointed out that since his client's apartment was currently sealed off as a scene of crime, Pace was to reside temporarily at his daughter's home in Siggiewi.

The court authorised this arrangement and further ordered the man to sign the bail book on a daily basis. It also imposed a curfew between 7.00pm and 8.00am, warning the accused of the serious repercussions he would have to face should he breach any of the bail conditions.

Inspector Nicholas Vella prosecuted.

Lawyer Emanuel Bianco was defence counsel.