Homeless man jailed for one month for begging

A 21-year-old homeless man is being detained for one month after he was caught begging in Marsa.

Omar Abdi Ismail, a Somali national, appeared in court on Friday afternoon where he pleaded guilty to charges of living an idle and vagrant life, of not being able to sustain himself, and of importuning individuals to beg alms.

Police inspector Elisia Scicluna told the court that officers patrolling Triq Stiefnu Zerafa in Marsa noticed a man walking briskly behind other pedestrians and stopping them to ask for a €1 both verbally and gesturing to the people he had stopped.

The man was stopped and arrested.

In his statement, Ismail, confirmed that he was homeless and unemployed. He also said that he had a key to a house in Qormi but did not know the address. Scicluna explained that the man claimed he paid €180 a month in rent. When asked about his work, the man told the police that he sometimes picked rubbish, however, he was never employed with JobsPlus.

Ismail, who is an asylum seeker, never renewed his permit which expired in April.

In submissions on punishment, Scicluna said that while the man admitted to the charges at an early stage, he had “no interest” in legally remaining in Malta after he failed to renew his permit. She also highlighted that he did not have a job and resorted to begging.

“He was never interested in sustaining himself but instead resorted to annoying people,” Scicluna said, adding that while he was being charged with contraventions, the prosecution asked for detention.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Farrugia insisted that he was informed that his client has a place where to stay and that the key is now with the police. He also urged the court to limit itself to the facts in issue.

The court found the man guilty by his own admission and detained him for a month.

Magistrate Leonard Caruana presided.

Police inspector Elisia Scicluna prosecuted while legal aid lawyer Martin Farrugia assisted the accused.