Drug addict pleads guilty to seven thefts

Iraqi national Mohammed Abdulelalim Abdulelhafir, 38 and currently recovered at Mount Carmel Hospital, was imprisoned for three years after pleading guilty to a series of snatch and grabs.

During the months of October and November the accused committed 11 snatch-and-grabs in various locations.

On 29 October, while hearing mass in the church of San Gorg Preca in Hamrun, he snatched a necklace from 73-year-old Agnes Monseigneur. On 20 November, in Zurrieq, the accused held 77-year-old Paola Abela against her will and stole her gold necklace and pendant. The Iraqi thief also stole necklaces and other jewelry from Miriam Facciol, Maria Cutajar, Carmela Mifsud, Grazia Scerri and Joanne Falzon.

The thefts happend in Fgura, Bormal, Zejtun, Birgu and Tarxien. His attempted theft from Giacinta Borg in Fgura failed when the woman resisted her aggressor. Abdulelhafir was also charged with carrying a firearm or a replica of a firearm, and carrying an unlicensed knife. All thefts were committed in order to finance the man's drug habit.

Dr Renzo Porsella Flores, appearing for the accused explained to the court how the Iraqi is receiving medical treatment at Mount Carmel to help him kick his drug habit. "He is only allowed out of the hospital on the signature of his wife," the lawyer said. Mohammed Abdulelhafir apologised to his victims.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale noted the accused's clean police record and while understanding the circumstances relating to the Iraqi's drug problem, he condemned the man's targeting of vulnerable people.

The court imprisoned Abdulelhafir for three years and recommended the prison authorities that the man is kept at the Forensic Section, at Mount Carmel Hospital and receives all necessary help to quit his drug problems.

Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Fabian Fleuri prosecuted while legal aid lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores appeared for the accused.