Drug addict admits theft

An addict going cold turkey forced a young man to withdraw €300 from a cash machine to buy drugs.

Clayton Fava, 26, from Żabbar, was yesterday jailed for 18 months after admitting to the crime last Tuesday.

Shaun Sammut, 23, was walking through Floriana when he was stopped by Mr Fava and asked for money to buy a Coke.

On spotting Mr Sammut’s credit card, Mr Fava ordered him to withdraw money from a machine.

Mr Sammut withdrew €100 three times as Mr Fava demanded more, sources close to the case said.

In the arraignment Mr Fava pleaded guilty to stealing the money, holding Mr Sammut against his will, threatening him and relapsing.

His lawyer Mark Busuttil said his client was “not a criminal but only an addict” motivated by severe withdrawal symptoms.

Police Inspector James Grech said Mr Fava needed a drug rehabilitation programme, which he could follow from prison.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli jailed him for 18 months after taking into consideration his early admission.