So, an 18-year old Somali gangs up with others who are also being hosted in our country, and they beat up a motorist in the early hours of the morning, hitting him on the head with a bottle, and stealing up to over e2,000 worth of items from his car (TMID, 18 December).

This guest was, with the others in his company, inebriated. Or partly so. And was sentenced to six months’ jail, suspended for a year. In spite of the prosecuting police asking that a lesson be taught.

What are we coming to? The young man should have been treated more severely, not given a suspended sentence. What kid glove treatment! I do not mind part of my tax money going to help these people, there is everything to be said for being charitable, but surely if they abuse our hospitality, they should pay for it. No one asked them to come here, but they did. And they are costing us dearly.

So what if this young man was a first time offender? He should not have offended. So he is helping the police in their investigations.

How very generous of him!

Did the magistrate consider whether the motorist who was assaulted was Maltese, paying taxes to keep this man fed and clothed?

J. Bartolo

Valletta