Suspended jail term

A man from Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq who yesterday admitted to stealing from three residences in Xemxija was given a two-year jail term suspended for four years.

Kenneth Borg, 30, pleaded guilty to stealing over €232.94 (Lm100) from a residence in St Agatha's Complex, a penthouse in Katerina Vitale Street and taking under €2,329 (Lm1,000) from a flat in the L-Ambjent Complex between May 2006 and May 2007.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit told the court that Mr Borg had made improvements in his lifestyle since he had enrolled in a residential drug rehabilitation programme. Taking this into consideration, Magistrate Anthony Vella handed down a two-year jail term suspended for four years.

Lawyers Daniela Mangion and Gabrielle Buttigieg appeared for Mr Borg.

Comments

Frank Muscat (3 weeks, 2 days ago)

The reason why crime is on the increase is simple enough. A person committing a theft knows quite well that if caught for the first time he will only get a warning. On a second apprehension he will be given another chance. On the third, maybe a suspended sentence. From then on maybe a lenient jail term and only if the accused brings in the excuse that he is on drugs and will be sent for rehabilitation. Burglars know this very well and are therefore encoureged to commit crime. Is it possible that the authorities are so naive not to know about this leniency. Is it not the time to amend the laws and do away with suspended jail terms?