A total of 92 children in Malta and eight in Gozo were arraigned in the Juvenile Court last year, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Labour MP Adrian Vassallo.

Twenty were charged with driving cars without a licence. Twelve were charged with theft and another 12 with disorderly conduct, nine with having caused light injuries and three for having caused serious injuries.

Seven were arraigned and charged with loitering, one was charged with rape and seven for having smoked in prohibited places. No one was charged with illegal hunting in Malta but one was charged in Gozo.

22 under 25s in prison

The number of people in prison is of 382, 275 of whom have been sentenced to jail, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Labour MP Carmelo Abela. Twenty-two are under 25 years of age and 16 are serving a court sentence.

123 arson cases

During 2006, the police received notice of 123 cases of non-accidental fires, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Adrian Vassallo.

Charges relating to presence

of under-aged children

During 2006, the police instituted charges against 20 people who were charged, some more than once, of allowing under-age children in places of entertainment, Dr Borg told Adrian Vassallo.