Christian Peregin
Baby Jesus snatchers say sorry
The statues were discarded in this area in Mellieħa. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Four young men, who last year stole plastic statues of baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary from the Manwel Dimech Bridge the day before Christmas Eve have apologised for their "shameful" and drunken behaviour.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, on condition of anonymity, the youths said they would have liked to return the statues to their original place but feared prosecution.
"We were very drunk and as we were driving home it seemed like a funny idea. We had left Paceville around 5 a.m. and acted on the spur of the moment," said one of the culprits, a 21-year-old.
"They were being put up for Christmas and there we were ripping them off, just to have a few laughs. It wasn't like us.
"When we were pulling off the statue from the roundabout, we were using a lot of force and electricity started to spark. It was rather shameful, but we were drunk and for some reason we thought it was funny... but soon, I started feeling guilty about what we had done."
The statues formed part of a colourful crib on the bridge, and were taken just days after a similar theft in Floriana - though the man said he was unaware of that incident.
However, they were alerted by a friend when their own actions were reported to the media.
"When we saw the story on the timesofmalta.com website the next day, we felt really bad. There were comments suggesting we should be burned at the stake. At Christmas lunch, our families were discussing the story and saying it was shameful. Some even thought the people who did this were satanists," he said.
"To be honest, I would have thought and said the same things if I wasn't involved," he added, describing himself as a "typical Maltese Catholic", who attends Mass, though not as regularly as he should.
The group stored the statues in a car before discarding them in Mellieħa.
He said none of his friends would dream of doing the same thing again, since many people were offended by the incident.
They also advised the public not to repeat their antics, but their appeal was clearly not being heeded. Another statue of baby Jesus was stolen from the same spot on Manwel Dimech bridge last week, prompting last year's overwhelming condemnation.
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S Atlamyob
Dec 20th 2009, 22:11
Great article, I have tears in my eyes from laughing so much.
@ Dear Baby Plastic figurine Snatcher, don’t take it so hard, most of us did similar things growing up and if we didn’t, we’re not telling the truth or we wish we had. You came clean, and have a conscience, which indicates vital signs of maturity.
@ R Curmi, good observations/points
Acting like young people is normal, but if the driver was under the influence, my concerns grow, because so many out there axiomatically concluded that the abduction of a plastic figurine/idol to be the more important issue of the two.
J Schembri
Dec 20th 2009, 20:04
When will your government and PARENTS take seriously driving under the influence of alcohol. In Canada you wouldn't dare drink and drive, road checks are up everywhere. I remember even as youths when we drank too much we'd call a taxi or even our parents for a pick up (that's right our good old parents )
All our parents knew we'd booze it up once in a while, however they'd rather see us arrive home alive or not kill someone; we had cool parents who knew what dumb teenagers did.
Youths will drink, no matter what nationality but it not just the responsibilty of the police and courts, it is parents guiding children not to drink and drive.
About the statues; saying sorry is not enough you have to take responsibility and pay for them. Whether you pay for them outright or installments, you still have to replace them.
Consider yourselves lucky you did't kill your buddy or some poor cyclist getting fit for a race early in the morning...do you remember that poor fellow. He left a wife and two young sons behind because of people like you DRUNK DRIVERS !!!
Eugenio Taliana
Dec 20th 2009, 18:31
For these young people this is a game and I am sure that the Lord is not going to be upset by what they did although what they did was not so funny - I guess the Lord is more offended by those of us who swear by his and his mothers' name! then by some missing plastic statues!
Joseph Meli
Dec 20th 2009, 18:16
LOCAL COUNCILS: [Please Note] This seems to be happening every year and in the same places, yet not only in Malta, but world-wide because some people do not believe in Jesus / God and want others as to forget that Jesus was born in this world just to save us. Let us not forget these people in our prayers, for they too can one day be saved, because to take something which does not belong to you is a sin.
On the other hand I would say... "But for you there is forgiveness with thee, in order that thou mayest be revered...[in case you appear before him and it's too late so as to ask for this] Psalm 130:4
One final thing, Local Councils should do various CCTV camera's on such locations, especially within those that had often happened year after year and leave also a forgiveness note, for we do forgive you, but add in the note "with a limitation, for it's also a crime to steel."
Matthew Scerri
Dec 20th 2009, 16:26
Just shows you what kind of state this country is in when they are more worried about statues than having been drunk driving.
but of course, as long as you're doing less than 60kph, driving while being drunk out of your senses is perfectly safe in Malta. :)
at least that's the way the authorities seem to "reason" things out to me at least. where is police enforcement? Too busy taking the easy way out and blaming speed for everything, in my opinion.
D Vella
Dec 20th 2009, 16:06
They did us all a favour. Those plastic statues are an eyesore.If you are going to do a crib in the middle of a traffic island ,at least choose statues with a modicum of taste. As they are,they are offensive. and just another eyesore.
Shawn Ryan Grech
Dec 20th 2009, 15:55
Min ma ghndux dnub jitfa l-ewwel gebla
R Curmi
Dec 20th 2009, 15:52
This dude says he is very sorry for stealing a plastic statue and wont do it again. Is he willing to do the same over the real mess that is driving him and friends very very Drunk? Or that for him is ok? What when he runs somebody? Will he and friends be crying on Times cause its only cause they had too much to drink and they wont do it again? By then its too late
J Farrugia
Dec 20th 2009, 14:41
The least these hooligans can do is to send a cheque (from a bank) to ELC for the expenses they incurred or buy another baby Jesus and put it in the Manger from where you stole them. I know that these are just hooligans and should be ashamed of themselves and cursed for the rest of their whole lives. Have the police investigated these claims, Has this Consortium investigated the locality where they said to have thrown baby Jesus after stealing it? Do so immediately.
Brian Maloret
Dec 20th 2009, 13:58
I have said it here before but I will say it again; the British traffic police would have a field day if they were let loose on the roads of Malta for just one week. In Britain, people who are arrested for drunk driving even if it is just over the limit of 80mg are automatically banned from driving sometimes up to 3 years ad they can also face a heavy fine and even prison. Whilst most Britons view drink driving as being an anti-social act her in Malta it seems to be the accepted norm. I have often seen young and older drivers leave bars the worse for drink and get into their cars often also carrying passengers and drive off without anyone stopping them. As for these four men admitting to being very drunk whilst in charge of a motor vehicle; its frightening that an innocent person(s) could have been killed or maimed because of their reckless behaviour and they should be condemned by Maltese society for their outrageous anti-social behaviour. They are a disgrace.
M. Cilia
Dec 20th 2009, 13:47
Shameful. Even though they say 'sorry'. The 'very very drunk' is even more shameful, could cost one's life. These young men must be really thankful they were not in an Islamic couctry where they would have risked their arm chopped off, and if it offended their religion maybe even both arms. Where were the police at 5am. Almost every person leaving in the early hours of the morning from Paceville must have had more alcohol than the limit, sure they were not drinking sparkling water or coffee and the police know it. That is the source where police should be busy checking drunks on their way out. Action please before more lives are lost.
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 20th 2009, 13:30
It would appear that these young people have realised the stupidity of what they did and hopefully that also includes the fact that they were driving whilst under the influence of drink. Whilst I do not condone either of their actions we were all young at a time and did stupid things. How many of us though had the courage to report our deeds to a newspaper? Hopefully this is a lesson to them and they won't do such a thing again, and well done for having the honesty to come forward.
C.Caruana (323)
Dec 20th 2009, 13:12
I would like to say prosit that at least they admitted their wrongdoings! My advice to them would be to go to confession in a church and act on the advice they are given there! I will pray for you!
E Compagno
Dec 20th 2009, 12:32
OMG. This is shocking.
I mean, to admit to be drunk and driving.. and not just 'drunk' but very very drunk.. and be more worried about a plastic statue!
No body stole Jesus. Plastic statues come and go.. but the lives of people who were on that road that day would have not.
Ton Van Kuijk
Dec 20th 2009, 12:23
Drinking and driving is a VERY VERY SERIOUS OFFENCE IN MY COUNTRY OF THE NETHERLANDS and by all account in Norway and Sweden its a case for (Hanging or lynching)?? NO NO seriously its so easy for friends mates ., to say have one 4 the road,and thats the problem to be able to be man enough to say NO, everyone should know his or her limit or if one drinks get a blooming taxi, its cheaper in the long run and might save your life and others walking on footpaths and zebra crossings especially children now during the school break for Xams.
Peter Paul Sacco
Dec 20th 2009, 11:50
"We were very drunk and as we were driving home it seemed like a funny idea". "They also advised the public not to repeat their antics". Which one, snatching the statues, which is sad enough, or driving while seemingly dead drunk?
My appeal is to the police to enforce the law against drink driving more forcefully and for the courts to go down on such irresponsible drivers like a ton of bricks.