Probation and fine for van escapade

A 20-year-old man was yesterday given a 14-month jail term suspended for three years for stealing a van, crashing into several cars and slightly injuring a woman while he was under the influence of alcohol last month.

Joseph Compagno pleaded guilty to stealing George Baldacchino's Mazda from Bugibba on May 3 at about 7 p.m., driving it dangerously and recklessly, without a licence and insurance cover, and speeding.

He also admitted driving under the influence of alcohol, damaging the van and other cars through negligence, slightly injuring Elizabeth Attard and failing to stop to give his particulars after being involved in a series of traffic accidents in Bugibba, Sliema, St Julian's and other places between 7 and 8 p.m.

Compagno also pleaded guilty to threatening PS Gino Caruana and PC Edwin Azzopardi in Sliema at about 8 p.m., committing a crime during the operative time of a suspended six-month jail term and relapsing.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman told Compagno he should not think that one could treat a suspended jail term as though it was not a punishment.

She told him she was handing down another suspended jail term because she sincerely believed that, if he put his mind to it, he would successfully complete a rehabilitation programme and change his ways.

The magistrate extended the original six-month suspended jail term for four years, put Compagno on probation for two years and fined him Lm300. She also banned him from driving for a year.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.