Jail for thief who tried to break into police inspector's car

A man from Attard has been jailed for three years and fined €916 after he was found guilty of attempting to steal items from a police inspector’s car.

Simon Peter Chircop, 47, was also accused of being in possession of a knife without a police licence, as well as damaging the car which had been parked on Triq il-Knisja, St. Julians last August.

He was seen trying to break into the car by another police officer and promptly arrested.

Chircop allegedly also threatened the owner of the car, Inspector Pierre Micallef Grimaud, during his interrogation at the St. Julian’s police station.

The accused had been denied bail during his arraignment on account of his expansive criminal record and due to the nature of some of the charges, namely that of threatening a police officer.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit noted that the accused was a recidivist and that "it is apparent that he did not learn from several opportunities afforded to him in the past and therefore a custodial sentence is the most fitting punishment."

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.