Man admits disturbing public peace and damaging car in Żebbuġ
He has been given 10 days to cover the €300 damage
A 41-year-old man pleaded guilty on Friday to disturbing the public peace, damaging a vehicle and living a vagrant life.
Abiazie Stanley Ihitegbulem, a Nigerian national, admitted the charges when he was arraigned in court on Friday morning.
The incident happened on June 3, when several reports were made to the police about a man seen on Mikelang Sapiano Street in Żebbuġ.
The court heard that the man appeared to be drunk and disorderly and had damaged a Nissan.
He was arrested at about 9.30pm and taken to Mater Dei Hospital because he was still under the influence.
Inspector John Sammut, prosecuting, told the court that Ihitegbulem was also in Malta irregularly.
The prosecution noted that, apart from his status, the accused had been harassing people and had damaged a citizen’s vehicle.
However, defence lawyer Silvan Pulis, appearing through legal aid, argued that the case should not focus on the accused’s legal status.
He said the case concerned the offences Ihitegbulem had already admitted to and that he should be judged on those facts.
The defence asked the court to consider handing down a suspended sentence.
Magistrate Nadia Helena Vella also asked whether the accused would be able to pay for the damage caused to the car, which amounted to about €300.
Ihitegbulem told the court he would try to pay.
The magistrate deferred the case to June 15.
She said that if the accused managed to pay for the damage by the time he returned to court, that would be taken into consideration when she handed down the final sentence.
The prosecution was led by Inspector John Sammut.
The defence was led by Silvan Pulis through legal aid.
Magistrate Nadia Helena Vella presided over the case.