Drug addict remanded in custody over theft

Andrea Busuttil, 26, of Sliema was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges of theft, attempted robbery and breaching bail.

Prosecuting inspector Joseph Mercieca explained how at around 8:30pm on 26 December Busuttil together with a yet unknown person, with the intent of committing a hold-up, entered the Drugshop in Vjal de le Cruz, Qormi and held two doctors and a chemist against their will. However the two left the pharmacy empty handed.

Two days later, on 28 December, two men including the accused held Salvatore Fiteni owner of Tic Topic Confectionery in Paola against his will while robbing his shop. The robbers made away with ana mount of cash and packets of cigarettes.

Furthermore, the accused was also charged of failing to sign his bail book since 17 June this year, committing an offence while on bail, changing his residence without informing the court and relapsing.

Defence counsel Marion Camilleri pleaded for bail."Until now Andrea Busuttil is presumed to be innocent in all the proceedings he has still pending at court", the lawyer said.

Camilleri stated the accused has a drug addiction and being remanded in jail will not make things better. "Arrangements have been made for him to start a rehabilitation course at Oasi Foundation in two week, and has the full support of his family", the defence lawyer pleaded. She also explained Busuttil had stopped signing his bail book as there was a change of inspector and he assumed there was no need for him to keep signing there.

The prosecuting inspectors objected to the request for bail saying the accused committed the robbery and attempted theft while out on bail. "Moreover for the past two weeks he has not been residing at home", the prosecution held, raising doubts about whether or not the family of the accused will take him back in with them. Inspector Mercieca confirmed Busuttil has drug related problems and had other court cases on similar charges.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti denied bail to the accused, stating Busuttil had proved himself unreliable when the court previously granted him bail. The accused was remanded in custody.

Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Spiridione Zammit prosecuted while Lawyer Marion Camilleri appeared for Andrea Busuttil.