Tough stand over probation breach

A man who was originally put on probation for three years was yesterday jailed for a total of three years after a magistrate heard how he had ignored the conditions laid down in the probation order.

Sebastian Farrugia, 31, of Qormi had been put on probation for trying to burgle the Qormi Bocci Club, stealing a car stereo and committing the crimes during the operative time of a one-year suspended jail term in October 2003.

In the judgment handed down in August 2005, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera had also ordered that the suspended jail term be extended to four years and she ordered Mr Farrugia to refund the victims.

But the magistrate yesterday heard that Mr Farrugia was not abiding by the conditions laid down in the probation order she handed down in 2005. He had been abusing drugs and failed to keep appointments with his probation officer.

Besides, the magistrate noted, Mr Farrugia had not refunded the victims despite the fact that he had a job.

The magistrate ruled that she had to be tough and show Mr Farrugia that he could not do as he pleased in a democratic society.

She jailed him for two years and ordered that the one-year suspended jail be put into effect, bringing the total jail term to three years.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia prosecuted.