Homeless, car-dwelling, Maltese youths admit to diesel thefts

Both young men had been accused of the theft of fuel, stealing a power tool from one car and receiving stolen goods

The prosecution told the court that the case was a delicate one and that the police wanted to see the youths back on the straight and narrow
The prosecution told the court that the case was a delicate one and that the police wanted to see the youths back on the straight and narrow

Two homeless young men have admitted to having stolen diesel from several parked vehicles, sharing the proceeds, over the weekend.

The youths, who live out of a car, the court was told, were arraigned before magistrate Josette Demicoli this morning.

Both young men had been accused of the theft of fuel, stealing a power tool from one car and receiving stolen goods, while one was also charged with driving two cars without a licence or insurance, one of which he is also accused of stealing. He was also charged with the theft of cash from a butcher shop in Marsa.

Both men pleaded guilty.

Inspector Spiridione Zammit told the court that one of the accused had cooperated with the police and had demonstrated a willingness to change his lifestyle.

Lawyer Noel Bartolo told the court that the youth wanted to turn his life around and argued that his client's early admission, young age as well as the fact that he was about to start a job militated in favour of leniency. “The man needs help. I think probation is fitting - he would have a person guiding him and providing him with support along the way. He tells me that he wants to change his life.”

Inspector Zammit, who is prosecuting the case together with Inspector Chantelle Casha, told the court that the case was a delicate one and that the police wanted to see the youths back on the straight and narrow. "We are not after the pound of flesh here,” Inspector Zammit explained.

Court found the man guilty and sentenced him to probation for three years. “Don't think that today nothing has happened. If you are not going to obey the probation officer, he will report you to me and after that, it will be a compulsory prison sentence - and not for just a couple of months. You must decide what to do next, if there are friends you need to cut ties with then cut ties with them. If we receive a report about you, we aren't going to play around.”

The other young man had a problem with soft drugs, particularly synthetic drugs, the court was told.

Inspector Zammit submitted that the youth would stand a better chance of reform if incarcerated. “His place is not on the outside and I hate to say it, but he is living out of a car at the moment. We have no objection to probation... but he cannot continue to live like that. He came to our offices with tears in his eyes asking for us to help him. But in order to help him, we must take him to court.”

The police recommended a penalty that would help reform the accused, a proposal seconded by defence lawyer George Anton Buttigieg.

Buttigieg requested the court order a pre-sentencing report to be drawn up for his client, to ensure it had an accurate picture of the man's miserable personal circumstances.

No request for bail was made. As the accused was not going to be granted bail, Buttigieg requested the court liaise with the prison authorities in order to avoid him being allowed contact with hardened criminals. “He is just 18,” the lawyer said.

The court upheld the defence's request and recommended that this report be completed by the next sitting, after which his punishment will be decided.