Five youngsters thought to be behind vandalism in Mellieħa

John Borg

Sep 3rd 2008, 10:23

@Zap - If me mistakenly branding you a Brit upset you so much (I didn't actually say that, as I referred to "your homeland") my apologies! Branagan sounds typical Irish, I should have sussed that out! You find it funny that we are "easy to live with"? I don't see the joke, having travelled much of the globe, I stick to that statement. As for the drugs, yes it is exactly what I said and yes, it is the locals who consume them - they could be my own kids, so should I be happy for the service these foriegners are giving to us? Be as sarcastic as you wish mate, but they are undeniable facts.As for careless driving, albeit being a constant pain in the backside, I would rather live in a country with careless drivers than run the gauntlet on a daily basis in some crime infested gangland controlled city where the locals are imaginalised simply because they are a minority. As for innocent until proven otherwise, yes, you are right, but if some old biddy cannot expect her share of peace and quiet in lieu of vandals on her beat, then something is seriously wrong here.

Zap Branagan

Sep 2nd 2008, 23:03

@ John Borg
Well, it is about being British, when you tell me that I'm British when I'm not.

Quote: It's more becoming, on a daily basis an issue of foreigners abusing our "easy to live with" nature.
LOL

Quote: It's the foreigners who import most of the drugs into this country...
And is it the foreigners who consume them? You really do think the Maltese are angelic. Look at how the Maltese drive. They break the law every day. Look at all the drunk driving. And god help us, who actually pays ticket fines. Just phone someone you know in the force. They'll take care of it.

Quote: As for their guilt being hearsay, it is only technicaly right as the person who witnessed the crime is afraid to testify due to retribution.
Or it's one old biddy with a grudge pointing a finger at young kids who are disturbing her peace. If you want to challenge the notion of 'innocent until proven guilty', be my guest. But I'm not going to argue it with you. Do it in the courts.

jane deguara nee hughes

Sep 2nd 2008, 10:33

to R.Mifsud;- in the uk they dont have as much trouble as they do here, malta is the size of just one county exp west yorkshire, people make me sick here when they say the crime rate is very low in malta, well its not.. i read the times every day page for page and theres always something.. and what has mixed marrige got to do with it?? i have 4 boys and they dont go round smashing Malta up or dumping rubbish they was bought up to respect there olders. and the country they live in which is Malta.. and yes i am British and very proud of it..

Antoine Vella

Sep 2nd 2008, 02:14

@ R.Mifsud
"Yes, Maltese people are in fact less criminal, as most of us are thought the real values in life."

You must be joking.

John Borg

Sep 1st 2008, 20:49

@Zap Branagan, it's not an issue of British or not.. It's more becoming, on a daily basis an issue of foreigners abusing our "easy to live with" nature.. And it's not just the refugees. It's the foreigners who import most of the drugs into this country and as the Mellieha vandalism has shown, some foreign youths are bringing "home" their bad habits too. This happened very recently when a group of 150 Croation football hooligans tried to repeat the sorry episode of 2 years back when their compatriots demolished a part of our national stadium. This time the police were well prepared and these hooligans were faced with strong tactics as soon as they tried to cause trouble. The result? 5 minutes of tough riot control, 6 arrests and a swift police escort of the whole group directly to the airport and strict police surveilance till the plane left. Unfortunatley, sometimes the only deterant is rapid response and ask questions later. As for their guilt being hearsay, it is only technicaly right as the person who witnessed the crime is afraid to testify due to retribution.

Zap Branagan

Sep 1st 2008, 20:30

For goodness sake people, I'm not British. Don't equate me with the British.

Just remember that when you start talking corporal punishment, that it will just make the toughest tougher. Isn't Malta proud of it's Christian heritage? Isn't there another way of dealing with this, or did I miss the passages in the New Testament where JC unleashes wrath and damnation?

As I've said before, those who committed these acts have to make reparations, but so far it's hearsay that there are 4 Brits involved, and what bothers me is the "lash-out" and "deport them" attitude.

Joseph Schembri

Sep 1st 2008, 18:05

What has happened is that as I have said elsewhere we are molly coddling young people. We have given them too many rights and taken away the few duties they had. I call it the dictatorship of minors.

It used to be called discipline - now they call it abuse. Child protection agencies and their minions want to justify their salaries so they tell children to call a helpline if they are 'abused' and a drove of meddling do gooders descend upon the unsuspecting parent or teacher if he so much as lifts a finger. The teacher I remember most with respect and gratitude is one who used corporal punishment. (A slap on the palm with a wooden rod). It was not done sadistically: we were given the rules and told what we would get for breaking any of those rules.

A case of spare the rod and spoil the child, anyone?

On the other hand I am strongly against anyone suggesting prison - and strongly in favour of community service.

James De Giorgio

Sep 1st 2008, 17:02

I honestly didn't think they were Brits but when I read they were I can't say I'm surprised either. Going round in hoods. Let's hope they don't start knifing passers-by next, like what's happening in London.

What's happened to the British nation? They were such a solid people once.

John Borg

Sep 1st 2008, 14:57

Hey Zap Branagon, A respondant merely states the facts, that out of the 5 hooligans involved, 4 were Brits.. So does this statement make him (or me!) xenophobic? I have lived in Mellieha for over 12 years now and I have always been amazed how this beautiful village has been spared from violence and vandalism, so yes, even I am worried that our foreign residents kids should import their "unwanted talents" here with them! No, the Maltese are no angels, and some are easily influenced by the "barranin" as they have a warped mentality that foreigners "do it better" and know it better!
As for punishment of these louts, firstly make them pay for their damage and then equate the fiscal amount into paid hours and make them sweep the streets, paint benches and so on. If they refuse, a couple of months in detention should convince them otherwise. Our youths are not angels, true, but there is no comparison to our youths and to those of your homeland Zap Branagan, and you know that more than I do! Call me xenophobic, but it won't change the facts.

dbugeja

Sep 1st 2008, 14:31

I think they should pay for what they have done. they should do community work and pay for the damage they have done. 17 year and 20 year old are no kids and they should know from right and wrong.

We cant go on justify what's going on behind closed doors. Everyone has his bad moments in life but you cant pour your troubles and anger on to someone else or vandalise. it would be senseless. Even a child of 6 to 7 years old knows what is wrong and what is right so please do not find excuses.

Of course the witness doesn't want to testify. In england they have this problem with yobs as young as 14 years old vandalising neighbour s property and the police afraid to take action.

I hope we don't come to that.

Zap Branagan

Sep 1st 2008, 14:20

Corporal punishment doesn't work. Prisons DO NOT reform characters, they harden characters. Study after study shows that petty criminals go in and come out with more 'skills'.

Corporal punishment has been the norm for thousands of years. And our current society has derived from that. So, what's it to be? More of the same?

Of course the vandals, whomever they may be, should be made to pay for the damage and give back to the community in some fashion, but this is like beating a dog when it runs away. The only lesson the dog learns is that when it comes back it gets beaten.

A Psaila

Sep 1st 2008, 10:31

@ Zap Branagan
It is your way of reasonng that is encouraging youngsters from turning violently against their teachers in class, raping minors, beating up their parents and experimenting with drugs. Is it always the older generation's fault? have you ever heard of peer pressure? Vandalism is the worst sort of crime. it is worse than stealing. it is pure hatred towards society in general. Yes, the criminals should be punished to the extreme of the law and made an example of.

Joseph Vassallo

Sep 1st 2008, 08:55

@Zap Branagan... Quote "Ever think that what they might need is some TLC? That they might have something going on at home or that they might not feel accepted here? I don't condone what they've done, but just punishing them won't stop the turmoil that's going on inside that they're expressing on the outside. Corporal punishment alone will just turn them into grunts." Unquote

Excuse me while I look for a sick-bed.

Malcolm Seychell

Sep 1st 2008, 08:41

Of course don't arrest them if they are caught because they are still young


That is what Fr Montebello and Co will tell us.

Joe Galea

Sep 1st 2008, 08:13

@Zap Branagan: I am sorry but reasoing like yours is crumbling our society. Apologising and finding excuses for any wrongdoing that minors or youngsters do, is not the solution. It will give them more confidence to do worse next time. They know that the maximum punishment that they can get is a shout and bail perhaps. For them it becomes such a custom that they will start enjoying it.

Harsh punishments are the only deterrent to crime!! Otherwise we have to keep suffering while these mentally unstable people keep destroying our lives our property, our environment, etc.

Mr. Branagan, why don't you suggest that they should be given a heart of gold medal for their 'noble' act?

Steve Pace

Aug 31st 2008, 22:55

@Zap Branagan

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Teenager-Stabbed-To-Death-In-Hackney-London/Article/200808415090353?lpos=Home_3&lid=ARTICLE_15090353_Teenager%2BStabbed%2BTo%2BDeath%2BIn%2BHackney%252C%2BLondon

The link above will take you to the news of a teenager who has been murdered today in the uk. I can send you a uk news items similar to this every day.

You speak in this way because you are jealous of the Maltese people. If you don't like or it hurts you in anyway, go back from where you came from. Leave. We don't need you here. We are Maltese we love our country

J Farrugia

Aug 31st 2008, 22:30

rest assured that these pranksters will have their name withheld. Being of good families they will go scot free and only given l-articolo 23.

Michael Andrews

Aug 31st 2008, 19:23

@ Zap Branagan

Are you ok?
TLC.......??? Are you sure?
I am British and i never had a good home life neither but i never used to go round vandalising and causing thousands of Euros worth of damage.
All this softly ,softly approach is what made Britain what it is today....... and believe me it's not nice.
These guys need to be taught a lesson and punished for what they have done and as for the British guys.they should be deported.They come to another country and treat it like dirt....that's just not on in my book.

v.vella

Aug 31st 2008, 19:12

@ Zap Branagan
First of all you got my name wrong! second did I mention corporal punishment?!Although now that you mention it, Flogging would not go amiss if you want my opinion and I wouldn't mind putting them in the stocks for a couple of days either. So, maybe they've had a rough childhood.maybe it's their home background poor dears.maybe we should not punish them at all seeing that they are expressing their frustration by destroying public property. Hey! perhaps we could say they're artists creating works of art!!! you know free self expression and all that. and perhaps you would be willing to pay for the damage erm sorry artwork!

Paul Roberts

Aug 31st 2008, 18:58

It’s about time we introduced more CCTV cameras.

Zap Branagan

Aug 31st 2008, 16:52

Yeah Victor Vella! Scar them for life!

Perhaps you'd like them to be publicly flogged? Or maybe put in stocks?

Ever think that what they might need is some TLC? That they might have something going on at home or that they might not feel accepted here? I don't condone what they've done, but just punishing them won't stop the turmoil that's going on inside that they're expressing on the outside. Corporal punishment alone will just turn them into grunts.

R. Mifsud:
Yeah! Xenophobia! "Once again the majority of the gang are foreigners".
Can you elaborate on this? Are the angelic Maltese being trampled once again by rampaging foreigners?

Anthony Formosa:
Paranoid much? It's a huge leap to think that these 4 'foreigners' were behind the destruction of thousands of trees.

I would like to point out that so far there is one pointing finger. And the body behind that pointing finger isn't prepared to testify, perhaps because they haven't seen anything? So far this is all hearsay.

James A. Tyrrell

Aug 31st 2008, 15:01

Community service in this case in my opinion would not be enough. These 17 to 20 years olds if indeed found guilty are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. If convicted they should be jailed and they should remain in jail until their parents have paid for all the damage they caused. Upon their release any foreigners should be expelled from the country and banned for life from coming back. Any Maltese upon release should then be made to do a year's community service cleaning up the countryside.

The problem today is that the law is much too lax in dealing with thugs like these. They go to court and get a slap on the wrist and in their eyes this is worn like a badge of honour. The law must take a stand before this sort of behaviour gets out of hand



.

Adrian Cardona

Aug 31st 2008, 15:00

@Anthony Formosa
5 teenagers destroy hundreds of trees in one night?!
yeah, right.

D Camilleri

Aug 31st 2008, 14:48

Anthony Formosa
??????
wrong article ... Birds shot ahead of hunting season

Manuel Mifsud

Aug 31st 2008, 14:16

Utterly disgusting. Will someone tell us how much money goes wasted yearly through such acts of vandalism? I wonder why the Times refers to those thought to be behind this vandalism as "youngsters"! Most of us had already started working when we were 17-20 years old. Workers in the age bracket 17-20 would be funding this vandalism through the taxes that they pay.

I understand the individual who is afraid witness against this group although we would all be very glad if he does. The police should have used the information to follow these persons until they were caught red-handed.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 31st 2008, 11:13

The Police are to be commended for catching these vandals.
However, this is not enough. Once and if they are convicted, they have to be made to pay for their vandalism in Mellieha, such as through community service, cleaning the streetes, the paths, and common areas. Send them with the rubbish vehicles, so that they know what it means to keep a place tidy.

Anthony Formosa

Aug 31st 2008, 11:06

Great four British and one Maltese (thought to be behind), can it be that they were also behind the vandalism of the Foresta 2000 trees? Or we should keep on blaming the hunters. Without pointing any fingers, did anyone including birdlife ever expected that four British are thought to be involved. Only hunters are the culprits for birdlife and Co on this Island.

Dr Francis Saliba

Aug 31st 2008, 11:05

I appeal earnestly to anyone who could be of assistance in the prosecution of these vandals to come forward and do his civic duty towards himself and to all the inhabitants of this village. If we do not help ourselves we will be encouraging these vandals to continue wrecking the village.

"Aghmlu kuragg u ixhdu!"

R.Mifsud

Aug 31st 2008, 10:59

Once again the majority of the gang are foreigners. Any idea why ? Yes, Maltese people are in fact less criminal, as most of us are thought the real values in life. .......Yes more than the British too. Look at Britain now, stabbing or shooting and murders every day. Why too many different racis in one basket. It just doesn't work.

v.vella

Aug 31st 2008, 10:59

I just hope that if these people are convicted they will receive such a punishment that would leave them scarred for life. A slap on the wrist and a suspended sentence would be blasphemy. These people should be made to repair all the damage that has been caused and fined to boot.