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MT 20 August 2017

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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST 2017 News No bail on Paceville theft and cannabis possession MATTHEW AGIUS TWO Somali men have been remanded in custody after being arrested for separate offences in Paceville last night. Inspector Trevor Micallef told Magistrate Francesco Depasquale how the first to be arraigned, 21-year-old refuse collector Shaban Adan Jama, was arrested in St Julian's after being identified by the victim of a theft. Jama was accused of aggravated theft, having allegedly torn a chain from around a Russian man's neck before escaping on foot. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on Friday was made more serious by the alleged use of violence. Lawyer Martin Fenech informed the court that his client was pleading not guilty. Jama was returning from the beach when he saw three Somali men running past. Three drunk Russian men had then singled him out, said the lawyer. He consistently denied stealing any necklaces and pointed out that the Police had not found any incriminating items on his person. "He was misidentified." The magistrate pointed out that from the police report, he also appeared to have been drunk. Bail was requested. "He's been in Malta for four years and has a clean criminal record. He works and has a fixed residence. There is doubt at this stage, he denies the charges and because it was dark it could easily have been a case of mistaken identity," Fenech said. Inspector Micallef said the victims had gone to the police station and time had passed before his arrest. "Obviously there was more than one person involved and that is why the necklace was not found." Fenech protested that the man was presumed innocent at this stage. The court, however rejected the bail request due to the nature of the offence and the fact that witnesses had not yet testified. Inspector Micallef also arraigned Mahamed Abib Hashi from Somalia, after the 21-year- old was found to be in possession of cannabis in Paceville at around 1am yesterday. Hashi pleaded not guilty and Fenech asked for bail. "The police are saying that he was seen throwing some packets under a car and found empty packets at his house, which he shared with five other people." Only a small amount of cannabis was found, added the lawyer. Inspector Micallef explained that officers had seen the man throw something under a car, where they later found six packets of drugs. More empty packets were found near his bedspace in his apartment, added the inspector. The Court, in view of the accusation being lodged and in view of the fact that witnesses had not yet testified, denied bail. JAMES DEBONO Three months after a major fire destroyed part of the Sant'Antnin recycling plant grey and green bags are still being processed at the Malta North plant in Ghallis, according to a ministry spokesperson. Moreover investigations are still ongoing and no reports have been concluded to establish any responsibilities for the outbreak. Neither has WasteServ established the cause of the fires or taken any disciplinary procedures against anyone who may have been negligent on the day. "The investigation is still ongoing and to date there are no conclusive reports," a spokesperson for Environment Minister Jose Herrera told MaltaToday. But following the incident WasteServ has carried out further risk assessments on all of its facilities and has ramped up its firefighting capacity. The Sant'Antnin Waste Treatment Plant is divided into two plants: an MRF (Materials Recycling Facility) for the treatment of the Grey / Green bag for recyclables and an MBT (Mechanical and Biological Treatment Plant) for the treatment of the black bag for the extraction of organic matter The fire completely destroyed the MRF but not the MBT, which is still fully functioning. Although smaller the MRF plant in Ghallis plant is more modern and efficient than the one in Marsasakala. To keep up with the increased load workers at Ghallis had to work longer hours. Contacted by MaltaToday GreenPak chief executive Mario Schembri confirmed that the collection of recycled waste has continued as before. Schembri also reiterated his appeal to the public to use bring in sites to deposit their recyclable waste instead of the green or grey bag. In the wake of the huge blaze GreenPak had announced that it was increasing the frequency of emptying bring in sites. GreenPak is calling on the public to separate glass, plastic, paper and metal by using the respective color-coded and marked bins at bring-in-sites. "This will serve to help alleviate the need for mechanical sorting that was carried out at the Sant'Antnin facility." A magisterial inquiry was opened on the day of the accident to verify whether the cause of the blaze was accidental. During the electoral campaign, which coincided with the fires, the PL pledged to relocate the Sant'Antnin plant to Maghtab. No responsibilities yet for Sant'Antnin fires SIMPLE AND SECURE…USD Interest payable monthly or annually and is fixed for the entire duration of the term. Minimum deposit $2,000 • Interest cannot be added to Capital and has to be credited to a savings account held with APS Bank Ltd • O‚er valid for a limited period. Terms and Conditions Apply. APS Bank Ltd is licensed to undertake the business of Banking and to conduct Investment Services business by the Malta Financial Services Authority and is enrolled as a Tied Insurance Intermediary under the Insurance Intermediaries Act 2006. The Bank is also a participant in the Depositor Compensation Scheme established under Legal Notice 383 of 2015. facebook.com/apsbank values you can bank on 2122 6644 apsbank.com.mt USD TERM DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS 5 YEARS AT 3%* or 2 YEARS AT 2%* LIMITED OFFER *Gross of Tax 18833 APS USD ADVERT AW.indd 1 28/07/2017 15:45 Recycled waste is still processed at Ghallis

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