Students admit to damaging four cars in Swieqi

Two 21-year-old French students have been conditionally discharged for three years after admitting to causing over €1,000 in damages to four cars in Triq is-Sidra, Swieqi.

Mathieu Moulin admitted to causing between €116 and €1,164 in damages to an Alfa Romeo, an Opel and a Peugeot, while his partner in crime, Ludovic Bras, admitted to damaging a Renault.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning when the students were walking home while drunk.

The students pleaded guilty to damaging the four cars and paid €1,087 in damages.

In handing down the judgment, Magistrate Neville Camilleri took into account the fact that the students paid for the damage they caused, their clean police record, as well as the nature of the crime. Consequently, the Magistrate conditionally discharged Moulin and Bras for three years. 

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.

Disgruntled Swieqi residents and successive local councils have for years been asking for an increased police presence in the criminality stricken locality.

But, despite Swieqi getting a police station in April, vandalism to private property – mostly cars – is still prevalent, moreso during the summer months as an influx of weekend revelers and language students descend to the area.  

The problem of vandalism has also spilled to neighbouring Pembroke, with its mayor, Dean Hili, adamant that the majority of incidents are caused by students returning home after a night out in Paceville.