Heroin addict jailed for car theft spree, court orders he be given ‘all assistance possible’

Prison may give a new start to a 34-year-old heroin addict who admitted to breaking into six cars in Hamrun over the weekend, after a court ordered the prison authorities to give him “all assistance possible” to overcome his drug dependency and psychological issues.

Inspector Elliott Magro charged Allan Grima with three counts of aggravated theft and three counts of attempted aggravated theft, as well as six counts of criminal damage to the parked cars, which had been broken into in the night between 11 and 12 February. He was also accused of breaching the conditions under which he had been granted bail just ten days ago.

Lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar entered a guilty plea on behalf of the accused. Magistrate Joe Mifused noted that the man had been taking drugs for over 20 years and had started stealing to sustain his drug habit after a doctor had stopped his methadone because Grima had missed an appointment.

Choosing not to add to the man's problems by seizing his bail deposit, the court sentenced Grima to one year's imprisonment. The magistrate also ordered the director of prisons to assist the accused in every way possible to overcome his addiction, as well as to treat him for that vice and provide him with psychological support.

“You aren't a bad person, you have a drug problem and so when you miss methadone doses, you go and do what you did to get methadone's illegal alternative,” magistrate Mifsud said.

“You have a chance,” the court said, noting that he had already been arraigned before it. “Some people progress with treatment and some regress, but I am trying to help you.”