Fuel thief jailed for three years

Martin Joseph Xuereb, 40 of Bormla was imprisoned for three years and seven months after pleading guilty to various thefts of fuel and driving without a licence.

Inspectors Jurgen Vella and Spiridione Zammit told the court how  Xuereb was known to them about theft of fuel, however when he was arrested again he collaborated with the investigators and admitted his guilt.

Xuereb was charged with five thefts of fuel, driving a vehicle without licence and insurance, breaching a probation order and committing an offence while on bail. He was also charged with relapsing.

"Through his cooperation we managed to solve a number of pending cases regarding fuel theft. Investigations showed how Xuereb, a heavy drug user turned to stealing to fuel his habit and to pay off large amounts of outstanding debt he took out to buy drugs. These problems added to other family related issued had the better of him but he showed his intent to change his ways if given support", the inspector explained.

The prosecution asked the court that should a prison term be imposed a drug rehabilitation programme was also suggested.

Defence lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar, informed the court the accused was pleading guilty and apologised for his actions.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea told Xuereb that he had already been given a number of opportunities to change his ways yet he kept relapsing.

The accused was imprisoned for three years and seven months. He also had his driving licence suspended for a year following his release from prison.

Inspectors Jurgen Vella and Spiridione Zammit prosecuted while Dr Mark Mifsud Cutajar appeared for the accused.