Judge reprimands probationer

Mr Justice David Scicluna had harsh words for a youth on a three-year probation order, as he reprimanded him for failing to abide by the conditions imposed in his probation order.

Taking the witness stand earlier on Friday, police inspector Jesmond Micallef told a court that a youth, whose name cannot be published by court order, had been found guilty of threatening and assuaulting his father in 2011.

The court had placed the youth under an 18-month probation order, after hearing he had been provoked into the argument. Following monitoring reports by his probation officer, in April 2013, the probation period was extended to three years.

However a month later, Probation Officer Miriam Sevasta filed a report claiming yjay the youth was involved in an incident with other family members and that he could pose a risk to those around him. From the evidence of two probation officers, a psychiatrist and police officers, it resulted that the youth's relationship with his family members had been on the mend. Furthermore, while still receiving treatment he had also returned to work.

"However when a probationer has proven he is reforming himself and changing his ways, a single incident does not necessitate fresh considerations over the probation period," the judge said.

Judge Scicluna ordered the continuation of the current three year probation order.