A man tried to flee police custody during a break from court proceedings on Wednesday, shortly after he pleaded guilty to aggravated theft.

Mario Zammit, a 44-year-old unemployed man from Żabbar, had also pleaded guilty to slightly injuring a woman when he grabbed her by the throat and snatched her bag in Zabbar earlier this month.

He tried to run for freedom during a five-minute interval given by a magistrate  in order to enable him to reconsider his plea.

The man was quickly re-arrested, restrained and returned to the courtroom. His  legal aid lawyer, Yanika Bugeja, then told the court that the accused had refused her assistance and had not consulted her before admitting the charges. 

The prosecution and defence submissions in this case cannot be reported due to court-imposed restrictions.

After hearing these submissions, Magistrate Rachel Montebello condemned Mr Zammit to a three-year probation period.

“Mr Zammit you must not commit a crime or break the law in the next three years or you will be punished for today’s crimes as well,”  the magistrate’s final warned.

Inspectors Fabian Fleri, Lydon Zammit and Joanna Piscopo prosecuted.

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