No bail for addict who robbed five service stations in 12 days

A man has been remanded in custody after he was arraigned over five burglaries from service stations over a 12-day period last month

Falzon pleaded not guilty to the charges but bail was not requested
Falzon pleaded not guilty to the charges but bail was not requested

A man has been remanded in custody this morning after he was arraigned over five burglaries from service stations over a 12-day period last month.

Police inspectors Elton Taliana and Roderick Agius charged 31-year-old Wayne Falzon of Birkirkara with five charges of theft, all of which took place in the night time. Falzon was also accused of five counts of criminal damage, due to the destructive manner in which the burglaries were carried out. He was also accused of breaching a probation order and a separate suspended sentence.

Falzon pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail was not requested.

Falzon's defence counsel, lawyer David Gatt suggested that the court order the man be held at the forensic unit as he has a drug problem. The prosecution did not object to this.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech recommended that the director of prisons order his medical staff to determine the man's needs and care, in view of the fact that he was in the grip of drug addiction.