Three years' probation for trying to steal car

A Pietà man was yesterday put on probation for three years for trying to steal a car and damaging it in the process.

Anthony Cutajar, 25, was found guilty of trying to steal Zhou Zhou's Fiat from Pietà on November 16, 2000, at about 3.30 a.m., causing over Lm50 damage to the car and relapsing.

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona heard how police who were patrolling the area saw Cutajar try to force open the car's left door. Cutajar was also carrying a torch and a screwdriver.

Handing down judgment, the magistrate noted that Cutajar had been convicted of theft in the past. But he also noted that Cutajar had followed a rehabilitation programme and was on the way towards reintegration in society.

For these reasons the magistrate ruled that a jail term was not appropriate and he conditionally discharged the accused. He also ordered Cutajar to pay Fortress Insurance Lm215 plus value added tax.

Police Inspector Carlo Ellul prosecuted.