Fined for breaching probation order

A Gzira man was yesterday fined Lm50 for breaching the conditions of a three-year probation order.

Paul Kavanagh, 24, was fined by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera for breaching the conditions of a probation order handed down on May 15, 2001, when he was sentenced for theft.

Kavanagh had been found guilty of stealing less than Lm1,000 worth in chalices, relics, small cases for hosts and other items from a community of Franciscan friars in Birkirkara on May 8, 2000.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera heard Kavanagh's probation officer outline the breaches, mostly involving his failure to turn up for appointments.

The probation officer, Victoria Grech, said Kavanagh had told her he did not turn up for the appointments because he had been arrested on the dates but she later learnt this was not true.

The magistrate ruled there was no need to reconsider the punishment for the theft since Kavanagh had returned all the stolen items but fined him after finding him in breach of the probation order.

Police Inspector Mario Bonello prosecuted.