Addict sent to jail after blowing reform chances

A drug addict who has just turned 23 was jailed for 18 months yesterday after he admitted to burgling a house and stealing more than €2,500 worth of items.

Clayton Fava, from Żabbar, broke into his neighbour’s house and stole an Apple laptop, a Nikon camera and jewellery in April last year.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli said she had taken into consideration the fact that he had cooperated throughout the course of the investigations, as evident in his police statement and the fact that he had admitted the charge straight away.

However, she also noted that he had been given numerous other chances to reform himself but failed.

From submissions made by both the prosecution and the defence, it was evident that Mr Fava had a serious drug problem which was coupled with a weak character.

In the circumstances, the magistrate ruled that an effective jail term was ideal, even if near the minimum. She also recommended to the Prison Director that Mr Fava be given all the necessary help to beat his addiction.