A self-confessed arsonist and reformed drug addict has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for setting fire to the door of a house in Qormi. 

Martin Marco Baldacchino, 40 and of Żebbuġ, admitted to having set fire to a house door on Main Street in Qormi on August 24, 2011. He also pleaded guilty to the wilful damage of third party property.

The case went to trial after the defence and prosecution had failed to reach an agreement during a pre-trial plea bargaining exercise.

The court, presided by judge Antonio Mizzi, observed that Mr Baldacchino had made clear his intention to collaborate with the prosecution, but no prosecuting officer had ever contacted the accused. It was only last November that two meetings were held and a statement was released by the accused, the court remarked.

Maltese laws stipulate a minimum prison term of six years and a maximum of 12 for arson unless there were special and extraordinary reasons. The judge opted to sentence Mr Baldacchino to less given that he had pleaded guilty, offered his cooperation and paid for the damage he had caused.

The judgment also referred to the fact that the accused had serious drug problems at the time of the arson attack. However he had since overcome his addiction.

Taking note of the fact that the accused had violated the conditions of a previous probation order, the court explained that a suspended sentence was not possible in such a case.

Judge Mizzi observed that the accused had filed an early guilty plea and had also paid €2,524 to cover the cost of the damage caused to the property of the family targeted in the arson attack.

These particular circumstances, the court observed, merited consideration. For this reason it condemned the accused to a jail term of four and a half years. The accused was further made to pay €1,090.70 to cover court expert costs.

Lawyers Elaine Mercieca and Anne Marie Cutajar from the Attorney General's office prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono and Gavin Gulia were defence counsel/