Magistrate rebukes young offender's behaviour

An Paola boy who was put on probation for stealing a car was yesterday fined Lm50 and had his probation extended by two years for breaching probation conditions.

In a judgment handed down on March 20, 2000, the boy, whose name cannot be published because he was 15 at the time of the commission of the crime, was put on probation for three years.

He was found guilty of stealing and damaging an Austin Mini Minor in Paola on the night of January 16, 2000.

On July 20 this year, the boy's probation officer informed Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera that the boy was not following the San Blas rehabilitation programme as he was meant to.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera condemned his behaviour as arrogant and ordered him to pay the maximum fine which, if unpaid, would be converted into 10 days' imprisonment. She also extended his probation period by two years.

Police Inspector Carmelo Magri prosecuted.