Drug addict jailed for breaching probation order

Drug addict David Mifsud was imprisoned for nine months after a court heard how he had breached a probation order, absconded from his rehabilitation programme and then apprehended by the police with drugs in his possession.

On 25 March 2013, probation officer Antonella Spagnol informed the court that probationer David Mifsud had failed to work on kicking his drug habit. The man did not adhere to the programme structured by his probation officer and did not keep away from places related to his drug addiction.

After being found guilty of drug possession in 2011, Mifsud was handed a probation order aimed at helping him address his serious drug addiction. After being referred to Sedqa, Mifsud agreed to spend a short period at the Dual Diagnosis Unit (DDU) followed by another stay at the Assessment and Stabilisation Unit (ASU), which prepared him for a residential drug rehab programme at Santa Marija. However Mifsud left the DDU saying he was not ready to follow a residential programme.

Earlier in April this year, Mifsud changed his mind and informed the court he wanted to attend a residential programme. He went to DDU and ASU and started the programme, but in October he left Santa Marija without any explanation. The following day, he met his probation officer and informed her he had abused of drugs in less than 24 hours from leaving Santa Marija. But he told the officer he was interested to try the programme offered by Caritas. Before arrangements could be made he returned to Santa Marija but ran away two days later and again made use of drugs.

Mr Justice David Scicluna held the case had gone beyond the scope of probation orders. "This court has done all in its remit to help the probationer however it seems he is back in the same situation he was in when all this started. Due to this the court has no alternative but to hand a fresh judgement over the offences he was charged with two years ago," the judge said.

Having been found guilty of breaching a probation order and various charges of possession of heroin and cannabis, David Mifsud was jailed for nine months. The court called on the Prison Director to ensure the convicted is helped to follow a drug rehab programme and received the medical and psychiatric treatment he requires.