Electronic tag alerts police to bail breach
Man admits leaving home during curfew hours on his way to sign the bail book
A 27-year-old man was back in court on Tuesday after an automated alert from his electronic ankle monitor notified police he had breached his bail conditions.
Nicky Falzon from Mellieħa had been granted bail with electronic tagging last April.
On Tuesday he was back in the dock after an automated alert from the tag notified police he was not at his residence during his mandatory curfew hours.
During his arraignment before Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia, the prosecution explained that the electronic tag flagged a violation the moment Falzon left his home.
Police investigations and tracking data confirmed that the accused had left his property outside his permitted hours, specifically on his way to sign the bail book at the local police station.
Falzon pleaded guilty.
The prosecution requested the minimum prison sentence, along with the full confiscation of the €5,000 personal guarantee imposed when he was granted electronically monitored bail in April.
In response, the defence asked the court to take into account that the accused had only left his residence 28 minutes after his curfew began. Lawyer Nicholas Mifsud argued against the full €5,000 confiscation but asked the court to opt for the maximum possible monetary fine instead of a prison sentence.
The court imposed a €500 fine and ordered the partial confiscation of €2,000 to the government from the personal guarantee originally established by the Criminal Court.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Charlon Borg. Lawyer Nicholas Mifsud appeared on behalf of the accused.