Man who tried to evade arrest charged with theft, drugs offences

A Sliema man who had escaped police custody during an investigation into a robbery and injured a police inspector during his re-arrest, has been charged in connection with the robbery, after already having been charged earlier this week for escaping police custody.

Earlier today, Police Inspectors Saviour Baldacchino and Justine Grech arraigned 27-year-old Andrea Busuttil on charges of theft and holding a person against their will, as well as charges of conspiracy to traffic cannabis, cannabis possession, cocaine and heroin possession.

The prosecuting inspectors told Magistrate Gabriella Vella how Busuttil had been detained in connection with a robbery from the home of an elderly woman in Birzebbugia last June but had managed to escape from custody on 30 July. He was arrested in the Manoel Island area after jumping in the sea to escape the police officers who had blocked his route.

Busuttil’s girlfriend, Donna Sciberras, was jailed earlier this week after pleading guilty to her part in the theft. Sciberras had revealed the identities of her two accomplices - one of whom was her boyfriend, Andrea Busuttil - to police.

Busuttil pleaded not guilty. No request for bail was made.

Lawyers Kris Busietta and Jason Azzopardi were defence counsel.