Bike thief jailed after 'wasting opportunities'

A young man who lamented that he had been living on fig rolls for five years was yesterday jailed for a year for stealing a motorcycle after he opted to file a guilty plea.

When asked to register a plea to the charges brought against him, 21-year-old Clyde Bonavia raised his hand to address the court and told Magistrate Antonio Mizzi that he had been living alone since he was nine years old and had survived on fig rolls for five years.

The magistrate told Mr Bonavia that he was not blaming him but explained to him that, due to the fact that he had several previous convictions on his criminal record, a guilty plea could only result in an effective jail term.

"I'm not blaming you, but you have to understand the position of the court, the defence lawyer and the prosecution... you've wasted your opportunities," the magistrate told Mr Bonavia before giving him time to consider his plea.

A few minutes later Mr Bonavia, of Cospicua, admitted to stealing a Yamaha motorcycle from Bartholomew Engerer on Wednesday, making a false declaration when he attached the registration plates of another vehicle onto the stolen bike, driving without a licence or insurance cover and relapsing.

The magistrate jailed Mr Bonavia for a year and banned him from driving for a year after he serves time.

Police Inspectors Raymond Cassar and Carmelo Bartolo prosecuted.

Lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores represented Mr Bonavia.