Youth to be indicted over IZIBET hold-up

A magistrate has denied bail to an 18-year old charged with armed robbery, saying the ruling was one intended to safeguard the interests of society, highlighting that at times, more was being done to protect the interests of individuals accused, than society at large.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud also decreed that he has been shown sufficient prima facie evidence to indict 18-year old Justin Scicluna with the armed robbery of an Izibet outlet, situated a few metres from his home in Mosta.

In today’s sitting, a 21 year-old friend of the accused, to whom had given a lift, testified to being unaware of Scicluna’s intentions. The witness explained that, during an online gaming session via Playstation online, Scicluna had asked him for a lift. He denied ever being told the purpose of the lift.

The witness also confirmed that the accused was still wearing a black beanie and carrying a black bag – understood to have held the €500 of stolen cash - when he got into the witness’ car.

 “I collected Justin and he asked me to drop him off and to wait for him in a street in Mosta,” said the man.

“I drove off...when we started to hear sirens wailing nearby, Justin told me to hide with him in some fields in Mosta. This was when I asked him what he had done,” he explained.

 “It did cross my mind to abandon Justin but he kept insisting I stay near him.” he explained.

Defence lawyer Franco Debono made several requests for bail, asking the court to keep in mind the age of the accused, and arguing that he should be given a chance to rehabilitate himself into society. He reminded the court that his client was still presumed innocent, but this argument was rebuffed by the magistrate, who said that the accused will have plenty of opportunities to rehabilitate himself after the case was settled.