30 months jail for man who set neighbour's flat on fire
There was no one inside the residence at the time of the fire
A 69-year-old was jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to setting his neighbour’s apartment on fire.
Silvio Vella, from Marsascala, was accused of setting the house on fire on July 17, 2025.
At the time of the arson, there was no one inside the residence.
He was also charged with wilfully damaging a third party, breaching the public peace and committing a crime while he was conditionally discharged for three years.
The man admitted to the charges during his arraignment on August 26, 2025.
The defence requested a pre-sentencing report.
The case was initially before Magistrate Rachel Montebello but was later reassigned to Magistrate Lara Lanfranco.
The court, in its considerations, took into account the man’s early guilty plea, the circumstances of the case, the man’s criminal record and the submissions made by the parties that he should get close to the minimum allowed by law, as well as having committed a crime while he had been conditionally discharged in another case.
The court also took into account the recommendations contained in the pre-sentencing report, in which it was recommended that he receive psychiatric treatment while confined to an institution.
Vella was jailed for two years and six months.
A three-year restraining order was issued.
AG lawyer Joseph Camilleri Azarov prosecuted, assisted by police inspector Francesca Maria Calleja.
Lawyer Axl Camilleri assisted the accused.