An exemplary rehabilitated drug addict yesterday had a suspended jail term reduced to three years' probation by an appeals court.

Anton Vassallo had been found guilty of stealing a Ford Capri while serving a suspended jail term and was jailed for 14 months suspended for four years in August 2003.

The Attorney General appealed the first court's decision seeking a harder punishment.

But Mr Justice David Scicluna ruled that the first court had not taken into consideration the fact that Mr Vassallo was a reformed man as described by his probation officer.

Since leaving the residential rehabilitation centre, Mr Vassallo has had a baby and opened his own shop, making sure he steered clear from drugs, probation officer Marietta Lanzon said.

On this basis, the court overturned the previous judgment and placed him under probation for three years.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared for Mr Vassallo.

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