Three-year jail sentence altered

A man, who was originally jailed for three years this morning had his jail term altered to three years probation and 100 hours of community service.

Anton Vassallo had been sentenced to three years imprisonment after the Magistrates’ Court found him guilty of the possession of a stolen car, making a false declaration when he attached the registration plates of another vehicle to the car, making use of counterfeit plates, stealing tools from a hardware store, handling stolen property and relapsing in May 2003.

Mr Vassallo filed an appeal and, Mr Justice David Scicluna in the Court of Criminal Appeal, cleared him of making the false declaration as it had not resulted from the evidence that he was ever asked to make a declaration to the authorities regarding the registration plates.

He was also cleared of making use of false plates as it was not proven that they were counterfeit.

The judge also heard how despite a troubled childhood and drug addition problems Mr Vassallo was attending a residential drug rehabilitation and was doing well for himself and turning his life around. He was also in a stable relationship with his partner and they were expecting a child.

After evaluating the case the judge noted that, while drug addiction or a expecting partner were not a reason to reduce punishment, the court ought to find a balance between the fact that Mr Vassallo was to pay his dues to society and that his complete rehabilitation would benefit both him and society. The judge altered the three-year jail term to a probation period.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared for Mr Vassallo.