Syrian refugee handed suspended jail term for theft

A Syrian refugee who turned to theft to improve his impoverished financial situation was handed a suspended sentence, after pleading guilty to theft and damaging police property.

Samer Mohammed, 45 of Syria and residing at the Hal- Far Open Centre, was handed a three-month jail term, suspended for four years, after pleading guilty to theft and damaging police property.

Prosecuting inspector Jonathan Ransley accused Mohammed of rifling through employees' lockers at a Mothercare outlet, Tower Road, Sliema, on Thursday at 10:30am.

Hearing the noise, a staff member caught the accused red-handed, taking an iPad and purse from one of the lockers, and locked the man inside the staff room and the shop's main door.

Mohammed was arrested and taken to the Sliema police station, but when officers informed him of his arraignment, the man flew into a rage and smashed one of the station's windows with his head.

Medical checks revealed that he had suffered superficial injuries. Subsequently he released a statement to the police claiming he was drunk and that he had no recollection of entering the shop and stealing items. However he alleged being assaulted by police officers.

Legal aid lawyer Cedric Mifsud said his client apologised for his actions and reiterated that he was drunk. "While this does not justify his action, the accused is a refugee and resorted to theft to try and get some money," the defence said. All stolen property was returned to the victims.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale handed the Syrian a three-month jail term suspended for four years.