A young man was given a one-year jail term and urged by the court to undergo rehabilitation to overcome his drug addiction, after he admitted he had attempted to steal from two vehicles parked in Pieta’.

Jacob Rakban, a 23-year old Mtarfa resident, was arraigned under arrest and charged over the two attempted thefts and with damaging the two vehicles involved while trying to break into them on Wednesday morning at around 11am.

Inspector Robert Vella explained in court that the young man had a long history of drug problems, had attempted to undergo rehabilitation several times and had been placed under two probation orders after brushes with the law.

In view of his drug problem, defence lawyer Josette Sultana pointed out that sending the man behind bars would not be the ideal solution, stressing further that her client needed help.

Duty Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, addressing the young man before her, told him that his drug addiction was a cause of great concern for his hardworking family. “Does your mother deserve this kind of worry?” the magistrate questioned, voicing her disapproval

The court placed the young man under a treatment order and recommended that he was to follow a rehabilitation programme to overcome his drug addiction.

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted. Lawyer Josette Sultana was legal aid counsel.

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