A repeat offender was spared prison after his father refused to testify against him on a stolen vehicle charge.

Clifford Camilleri, 29, admitted taking a Lada without permission from Ta’ Matti quarry, limits of Siġġiewi, in October 2010.

Mr Camilleri, of Gżira, was with his father, Lawrence, at the quarry when they had an argument and he drove off in the Lada, leaving his father stranded.

His father reported the matter to the police demanding action to be taken against his son, according to Police Inspector Sandra Zammit, prosecuting.

Initial attempts by the police to contact Mr Camilleri were unsuccessful. The following evening he left the Lada outside his mother’s house.

When the case made it to court, the father opted not to testify against his son when called by the prosecution and he appeared as a witness for the defence instead.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke noted that Lawrence Camilleri’s testimony was different to his original report and he tried to imply that he had not asked for the police to take action.

However, the court was convinced that the police version of events was correct.

Taking into account the case’s circumstances, the criminal record of the accused, the effect sentencing could have on the father-son relationship and Mr Camilleri’s probation officer’s report, the magistrate placed Mr Camilleri under probation for a year.