Police informants spot theft suspect outdoors despite court restrictions

A 23-year-old man from Kirkop was yesterday jailed for one month after he was found guilty of breaching bail conditions.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard that Justin Polidano had pleaded not guilty to stealing cash from an elderly woman's residence. He was subsequently granted bail by Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani on February 12 against a personal guarantee of €4,660 (Lm2,000) and a deposit of €1,165 (Lm500). He had also been ordered not to leave his home.

Police Inspector Anthony Portelli told the court that police informants had contacted him saying that Mr Polidano had been seen out of his home.

He had given his personal mobile number to the informants advising them to call straightaway should they see Mr Polidano outside again. Mr Polidano had been seen driving his Mercedes and the informants contacted the police inspector.

Mr Polidano's father testified that his son suffered from gall stones and he had taken him to the health centre which, of course, meant that his son had to leave the house.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera said she found this version of events unbelievable and so jailed Mr Polidano for six months.

Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Charmaine Cherrett were defence counsel.