Man jailed after buying one-way ticket to Mumbai in breach of bail
Melbin Devassy claimed he wanted to visit his 'sick' brother in hospital
A man, who had bought a one-way ticket to Mumbai, was jailed for four months after pleading guilty to breaching bail conditions when he tried to fly to India to visit his “sick” brother.
Melbin Devassy, 35, had two sets of bail conditions imposed on him in March last year and July this year. In 2024, Devassy was charged with reckless driving in an incident that occurred in Luqa in February that year. He was also charged with driving without a licence or insurance cover. He denies the charges. He was granted bail on arraignment against a €2,000 deposit and €5,000. His bail conditions included signing the bail book daily, “not go outside and not leave Malta”.
Devassy admitted to trying to leave Malta to visit his brother who is allegedly not well. He told the police that his brother had been involved in a collision and he wanted to visit him in hospital.
The court pointed out that if it were true that Devassy’s brother was in hospital, he could have instructed his lawyer to ask for bail conditions to be amended accordingly.
From the records of the case it emerged that Devassy had bought a one-way ticket to Mumbai with the court voicing its concern that the man may have had no intention to come back.
Devassy was jailed to four months imprisonment. The court ordered the forfeiture of €5,000 in personal guarantee from his first set of bail conditions. But could not do the same for the second set since the relative decree was not presented in court.
Bail was also revoked after the court ordered his immediate arrest.
Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit presided.
Police inspector Gabriel Kitcher prosecuted.
Lawyer Victor Bugeja appeared for the accused.