Boys told of harm to country after robbing tourists
Two 17-year-old boys admitted in court today to having stolen three bags containing €700, mobile phones, cameras and other items at the Splash and Fun Park yesterday. The bags belonging to tourists.
The two, who are Maltese, were taken to court after having been identified on CCTV.
Magistrate Anthony Vella told the accused that they had no idea what harm they had caused the country. He also warned them that their crime could cost them three years in prison.
He however, conditionally discharged them for two years after they paid the money back in court.
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Kevin Formosa
Aug 10th 2010, 08:50
The truth is that up coming generations do not want work , but easy money!! Shocking but true that is reality, These youngsters prentend to be gangsters and do what their sick mind thinks that particular moment....
J Pace
Aug 9th 2010, 21:51
It seems to me that if you are caught committing a crime and you pay the money back
or return the stolen items, you get off with a scolding or a slap in the hand!
On the other hand, if you don't get caught, you're still better off cause you keep the money
or goods that you stole.
So, I ask, does crime pay????? Seems to me like in Malta it sure does!
FB Aquilina
Aug 9th 2010, 20:31
As if these two delinquents don't know about the harm they've done! Come on! The only way delinquents learn is through punishment since they don't care at all about others... otherwise they would not commit crimes in the first place! Our Law Courts should hand down real sentences, admonishments don't work!
g.c.Forte
Aug 9th 2010, 18:09
Its all about money. Why our young men are turning to steal to have money ? If they do not have a job, part of the sentence should have been doing community work in their locality, and get paid, so they start gaining confidence in themselves, and learn that if they want money ,they have to work for it. They will never learn by punishing them, or discharged them conditionally. A sentence like this is like washing your hands of the problem. With a sentence like this, they will never learn. They might be very carefully next time not to get caught, and get easy money. What do we get if they are caught again and be thrown in prison. Failures.... And please, do not call 17 years old.... boys. They are grown up young men.
Colette Berman
Aug 9th 2010, 21:04
*Mr Forte,
17 year olds are neither boys nor men, but still on the path of discovering who they are. Community Service would surely have been a good thing - but not for remuneration. They need to learn that actions have consequences, and grown up actions have grown up consequences.
Alex Coppola
Aug 9th 2010, 17:54
How about publishing their names even though they are minors. The people have every right to know who these boys are so that they really feel ashamed and will think twice next time they contemplate of repeating such acts.
edward bartolo
Aug 9th 2010, 16:57
As if a seventeen years old youth doesn't understand that stealing is an injustice! These boys (sic), know and understand that stealing from tourists harms the nation's image as a tourist attraction. They are not toddlers needing someone to explain to them that stealing is bad! A punishment was more in order, and by punishment, I don't necessary mean imprisonment. There are other options that can serve as a punishment.
J Oatmon
Aug 10th 2010, 06:56
What about giving these petty thieves, supervised community work such as sweeping up leaves and cleaning off graffiti, clearing trash etc.
The slap on the wrist 'suspended sentence' is useless in changing their attitude, it just shows everyone there is no punishment for crime.
In Malta there must be thousands of relapses (career criminals) on the streets, and that is not what ordinary citizens want.
Bernard Storace
Aug 9th 2010, 16:42
Teenagers are old enough to be punished and the most suitable being 'community service' At least in this way some good might come out of their bad deed.
R.Borg
Aug 9th 2010, 16:12
From what background do these two young robbers come from?
Claire Busuttil
Aug 9th 2010, 15:56
Hemm bzonn riformatorju ghal dawn il hafna baby criminals!
victor pulis
Aug 9th 2010, 15:48
Were the mobile phones, cameras and other items returned along with the money and were they fined for their troubles?
Oliver Tanti
Aug 9th 2010, 15:46
other than conditional discharges...
they ought to be served with a summer long community service.......
it applied, it would be a win all.......
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 9th 2010, 15:40
Stealing is both harmful to tourists but also to the locals. With all due respect, are the locals of a lesser importance here, Magistrate Anthony Vella ?
These 17 year olds should get straight before its too late. Do they have parents or older brothers and sisters which may help them out somehow ? Thats what family love is all about afterall, no.
Robert Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2010, 16:15
You're missing the point! The Magistrate did not say that maltese a lesser but simply showed the boys the implications that they're actions might bring
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 9th 2010, 21:50
Mr. Azzopardi. Isn't there a pronounced "stealing from tourists" aspect to this crime ?
I tried to highlight that somehow, thats all.
Mr B J Simmons
Aug 9th 2010, 15:23
Free to do it again then.
Malta becomes more like the UK every day!
Karl Abela
Aug 9th 2010, 15:56
@BJ Simmons
Wishful thinking. How could you possibly compare pick pocketing with teenage murders?
d vella
Aug 9th 2010, 16:58
why uk? have you got any prejudice? why not italy ? germany? or the rest of the world? perhaps. wish you could elaborate. or do you watch sky news only? good and bad people are all over the world Mr B J Simmons.