Drug addict's progress saves him from jail

The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday reduced an 18-month jail term to three years' probation and 100 hours of community service after the accused made considerable progress in drug rehabilitation.

David Vella had originally been sentenced to 18 months in jail after the Magistrate's Court had found him guilty of seriously injuring Sean Cassar in St Julians on December 3, 2000, breaching the public peace and being in possession of a weapon.

The Court of Criminal Appeal presided over by Mr Justice David Scicluna heard that Mr Vella's father had paid the victim for any damages he had suffered. Mr Cassar had also forgiven Mr Vella.

The court also took into consideration a care worker's report that said Mr Vella was following a residential drug rehabilitation programme and described him as a hard worker.

Mr Justice Scicluna decided that Mr Vella had made substantial progress in his efforts to kick his drug habit and that imprisoning him would be counterproductive.

Mr Vella was placed under probation for three years, ordered him to carry out 100 hours of community service and to attend a first aid course in order to learn to help others instead of hurting them.