A reformed drug trafficker who quit drugs more than a decade ago was today jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to a crime he committed 14 years ago.
William Agius was 18 years and battling a drug addiction when he was caught red handed in the middle of a drug deal near the Qormi primary school in 2004.
He recently made the news after it was revealed how, in a cruel twist of fate the man was facing jail time despite having turned his life around completely.
Rather than face a trial by jury, Agius today pleaded guilty to conspiracy and trafficking of drugs within 100 metres from a school as well as aggravated possession. Had he chosen to go to trial he could have faced up to 20 years in jail.
Agius and another man had been caught with a bag containing more than 2,000 ecstasy pills. The drugs had a street value of around €29,000.
Since that time Agius quit drugs, smoking and alcohol and became an inspiring figure.
He has set up his own restaurant and offers employment to former addicts.
Over the past few weeks petitions were launched, calling on the courts not to jail the young man.
In a courtroom packed with family, friends and journalists, Agius today entered a guity plea. Before sentencing, defence lawyer Joe Giglio called Santina Camilleri, from Caritas, TV presenter Peppi Azzopardi and psychologist Mariella Dimech to testify.
They told the court about the progress made by Agius throughout his rehabilitation.
Lawyer Joe Giglio said that the court should note the accused’s progress and how he went on to open a successful business despite having his assets frozen. He also added that at the time of the crime, Aguis was only 18 years old. “Let us understand that Aguis was a catalyst for change in the law,” Giglio added.
The prosecution, which was led by lawyer Giannella Busuttil, did not object to fact that the accused is fully rehabilitated, but said this did not mean that he should not pay for his actions.
Busuttil said that the potential harm which could have been caused due to these drugs has to be taken into consideration. “If the police hadn’t intervened, these pills would have ended up in the hands of our youths.”
Mr Justice Mizzi handed down his sentence later in the afternoon. In addition to the three-year sentence, Agius was also fined €3,000. He was taken to prison immediately via the court building’s back door.
In a tweet shortly after the sentence, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said this was a ‘sensible’ judgement. “Today, for the second time in a few days the Law Courts sent a strong and loud message in favour of people who manage to rehabilitate and get rid of drug addiction.”
A few days ago, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had hinted that the government intended to change the laws because of this ‘anomaly.’
Muscat had explained that Agius’ case was made more serious because he had been caught near a school but Agius had been busted on a Saturday, which is not a school day. “What do you do in such a case? Stories like these keep you awake at night. Because we have laws to protect our children but there is the situation of a person who has reformed but because of how the law is could be sent to prison.”
“We always try to reach a solution. Will we find a solution in this particular case? I do not know? But we are all conscious of this situation and we will keep working to ensure that our laws work in favour of people.”