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6 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 FEBRUARY 2022 NEWS MATTHEW AGIUS A construction contractor from Holland has been conditionally discharged for six months and ordered to pay damages after he pleaded guilty to smashing two doors at the Gzira apartment where he resides, following an argument with his girlfriend. Inspector Jonathan Ransley arraigned 30-year-old construction contractor Gerardus Martinus Pacasse from Ni- jmegen, Holland before magistrate Lara Lanfranco this afternoon. Pacasse, who appeared in the dock with his forearm in a cast, had smashed the door to the common areas and the door to the apartment, causing a total of €1,515 worth of damage inside the rent- ed Gzira flat. He is understood to have injured himself when a pipe he tried to swing from, in a bid to escape the po- lice, gave way. He was charged with criminal damage and wilfully disturbing good order and the public peace. The court heard how the incident took place around noon on February 19 this year, after the Dutchman's girlfriend had locked him out of the apartment during an argument. Defence lawyer Jason Grima informed the court that his client would be plead- ing guilty to the charges. Magistrate Lanfranco gave the ac- cused the opportunity to reconsider his admission, but the accused confirmed his guilty plea. Inspector Ransley exhibited receipts documenting the cost of repairs. Dur- ing his submissions on punishment, the inspector said the police officers who went to the scene had found extensive damage to both doors. During his interrogation, the accused had explained to the police that he had fought with his girlfriend, who subse- quently locked him out. "At the moment he has no access to the apartment," add- ed the inspector, who suggested a con- ditional discharge. Grima agreed with the suggested pun- ishment and confirmed the accused would pay the damages. "He was a little bit intoxicated, he lost his temper and is very sorry for what he has done. He is humbly requesting the court to apply the dispositions of the Probation Act. He is starting a business and needs a clean criminal record," explained the lawyer. Magistrate Lanfranco, having heard both sides' submissions and in view of the accused's admission, as well as his cooperation with the police, found him guilty and conditionally discharged him for six months. Pacasse was also ordered to pay for the damages within that period. The court warned the man to keep the peace, before sending him on his way. Man admits to smashing doors at girlfriend's apartment after row Two handed probation, treatment orders after admitting to string of thefts from cars MATTHEW AGIUS A man has promised to seize the opportunity to overcome his ad- diction to heroin, as he was sen- tenced to three years of proba- tion and a three year treatment order after pleading guilty to a string of thefts from cars parked in Zebbug and Siggiewi. James Casha, 50, from Siggie- wi was arraigned in court this afternoon by Inspector Janetta Grixti, on a total of 23 charges, relating to 11 thefts from vehi- cles, as well as further charges relating to attempted thefts. The thefts of cash, electronics and other items all took place during the month of February and were rendered aggravated by time. Charges of voluntary damage were also pressed for every vehicle broken into. All but one of the charges were against Casha solely, who immediately pleaded guilty to them. A solitary charge of attempted theft from a parked car in Zeb- bug on 20 February, was also filed against Casha and Claire Satariano, 46, from Zebbug. Both accused also admitted that charge. Lawyer Jason Grima, appear- ing for both accused, told the court that the crimes were "a cry for help," in particular Ca- sha's, who had an acute drug problem and had finally sought treatment. "He is on metha- done now and is progressing, but still needs help. He lost his job because of his drug prob- lem and is shunned by his fami- ly. He has reached the bottom," said the lawyer. The defence suggested pro- bation and treatment orders "as a last chance" before jail- ing the man. The prosecuting officer confirmed that Casha had immediately admitted to the crimes and had cooperated with the investigation. With respect to Satariano, Grima informed the court that she, too, had a heroin problem and was now receiving metha- done as part of a structured re- habilitation plan. "I'm not condoning what I did but I had lost my methadone, it was a Sunday… it was a real one off. I never stole anything before," pleaded the woman in court on Tuesday. While the magistrate consult- ed with the law to calibrate the punishment, Casha's lawyer told him it was going to be his last chance. "Yes and I'm going to seize this opportunity with all my strength. I'm tired. I want to become a man again," replied the accused. In view of the guilty plea, the magistrate sentenced Casha to probation for three years and placed him under a three year treatment order, while noting that he had already been giv- en opportunities to address his drug problem by the courts. Magistrate Lanfranco pointed out that he had been handed a suspended sentence for offenc- es identical to today's, less than a year ago, but added that "my impression is that you are real- ising the mistakes you've made and want to change your life path." Casha agreed, telling the court that he was tired of living like this and wanted to clean up his act. Noting that he had been handed his two year sentence suspended for four years less than a year ago, the court or- dered that this suspension re- main in force. "If you breach it again, you will be punished se- verely," warned the magistrate. In sentencing Satariano, the court noted that she had been charged with one count of at- tempted theft from a car and had no pending suspended sen- tences. In view of her admission and her problems with drug addiction, the court also hand- ed her three year probation and treatment orders, saying that it wanted to help her stay on the straight and narrow. Thefts of cash, electronics and other items all took place during the month of February