Theft suspect jailed for breaching bail conditions

A man accused of theft was caught breaking one of his bail conditions when the police went to his house after he was suspected of stealing from a confectionery.

Ryan Briffa, 20, was yesterday jailed for two months and had his deposit confiscated by Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima despite pleading not guilty to the charge.

Police Inspector Anthony Portelli, prosecuting, said the police were informed that someone had broken into the confectionary in Correa Street, Qormi and stole cash and a gas cylinder on Good Friday. An eyewitness gave the police a description fitting that of Mr Briffa. But when Police Sergeant Jurgen Vella and Constable Peter Agius went to his house in High Street about an hour after the curfew laid down by his bail conditions, his mother, Maria Dolores, and his sister, Carmen, told them he was not home.

PS Vella said he waited for about a quarter of an hour and then asked Mr Briffa's mother for his mobile phone number. He then returned to the police station and called Mr Briffa, who told him he was home.

The officer said he immediately went to talk to Mr Briffa and, when asked why he was not at home, the accused first said he had gone to see his daughter and then said he was on the roof all along.

Mr Briffa, who is still being investigated with regard to the confectionary theft, was then arrested.

Lawyers José Herrera and Noel Bianco were defence counsel.