Jailed for breaching bail conditions

Patrick Mangion, 33, from Qormi, was yesterday sentenced to two months imprisonment after he was found guilty of breaching his bail conditions, imposed by the Magistrates' Court.

Mr Mangion had been granted bail last November after being arraigned over an alleged attempted burglary in Ghaxaq. Bail had been granted against a personal guarantee of Lm5,000 on condition he remains under house arrest except for taking medication from the Detox Centre.

However, a month after being granted bail, on December 19, at about 3.30 p.m. Johann Portelli, a shopkeeper at a tyre-repair service station, filed a report with the police saying that a person, later identified as being Mr Mangion, was in his outlet shortly before he realised he had been robbed.

Mr Portelli said he had found Mr Mangion in his shop, next to the till and that Mr Mangion was startled when he approached him.

Mr Mangion's parents also testified and confirmed that their son was with them at home on the day he was said to have gone to Mr Portelli's outlet. However, the mother admitted that in the afternoon their son had gone out to buy medicine.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera found Mr Mangion guilty of having breached his bail conditions, revoked his bail and sentenced him to two months imprisonment.

Police Inspectors Silvio Valletta, Anthony Portelli and Nezren Grixti prosecuted.