A young man who went on a drunken rampage on the streets of Birżebbuġa last Wednesday has been granted bail pending the drawing up of a pre-sentencing report.

Dylan Hill, 24, from Marsascala, was reportedly under the influence of drink when, in the early hours of Wednesday, just after work, he managed to gain access into an apartment by scaling the façade and entering through a balcony.

After sneaking some mobile phones while the apartment occupants slept, he slipped out again and went on his way, but not before damaging a Mercedes vehicle parked outside, close to Pretty Bay.

The rampage continued as the man damaged a bank's CCTV camera.

Police managed to track down Mr Hill after a police patrol identified him through CCTV footage as the prime suspect behind the damage to the Mercedes.

The culprit was arraigned on Friday and pleaded guilty to aggravated theft and voluntary damage to third party property.

Following a brief consultation with both parties, the court, presided over by magistrate Audrey Demicoli, upheld a joint request by both prosecution and defence to have a pre-sentencing report.

The court communicated this request to the Director of Probation and Parole, further noting that the accused was binding himself to pay back the damages once these were quantified.

“The Court’s interest is to ensure that the victims are reimbursed in full,” the court observed.

A request for bail pending the preparation of the pre-sentencing report was also upheld against a deposit of €500, a personal guarantee of €3,000 and an obligation to sign the bail book once a week.

In view of the fact that the accused worked shifts as a waiter which sometimes lasted till 1.00am, as confirmed by his employer who was also present in court, the magistrate imposed a curfew between 1.30am and 7.00am.

The case continues.

Inspector Charlotte Curmi prosecuted.
Lawyer Martha Mifsud was defence counsel.