Steve Spiteri, 23, was found guilty of stealing Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera’s Peugeot 405 from outside her house in Sliema Road, Kappara on 17 March 2003. The car was found some time later with extensive damages as a result of it having been set on fire.

The court heard how the magistrate’s driver was sitting in the car when a man approached him to speak to him. As the driver got out of the car, the man pushed him to the ground, got into the car and sped off.

Some time later, the police were informed that Spiteri was seen driving a blue Peugeot 405 bearing false registration plates. In the meantime, Spiteri crashed the car and soon afterwards the car was set on fire. Forensic tests carried out on the stolen Peugeot revealed a palm print belonging to the accused.

Emanuele Magro, 53, was accused of complicity, since Spiteri alleged that he was with him when he stole the vehicle. However, evidence produced in court showed otherwise and Magro was cleared of the charges brought against him due to insufficient evidence.

Handing down his judgement against Spiteri, Magistrate Giovanni Grixti explained that he had already been given a chance in 2001, when he was still a first time offender. After taking into consideration his criminal record, Magistrate Grixti jailed Spiteri for 30 months and disqualified him from having a driving licence for a year.

Police inspector Stephen Mallia prosecuted. Dr Michael Sciriha appeared for Spiteri while Dr Philip Galea Farrugia appeared for Magro.