Father of five placed under probation

Reginald James, 24 of Msida and a father of five, pleaded guilty to stealing a jack-hammer from a construction site last Sunday night.

Prosecuting inspector Arthur Mercieca told the court that a jack-hammer was reported missing by construction company Polidano Brothers. The theft allegedly took place during the night of Sunday 15 February from a construction site in St Julian's.

Investigations led the police to the Msida youth, and searches resulted in the stolen machinery being found in his possession. Reginald James was charged with stealing the jack-hammer, handling stolen property and relapsing.

The prosecution argued this was not the first time the youth has been taken to court in connection with thefts. "Despite being handed a number of suspended sentences, the young father has not changed his ways. However he fully cooperated with the police and returned the stolen machinery," the inspector said. The youth is the father of five children, who he said had to be maintained with whatever he could afford.

Highlighting the accused's guilty plea, the defence counsel begged the court to give the youth another chance at changing his life. "A probation order would serve as the best support to help the accused amend his ways, and address the lack of abilities he has to find a proper job and raise his children," the lawyer said.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja noted the submissions of both parties and placed the accused under a three year probation order.