Two Men Sentenced With Two-Year Suspended Sentence For Cutting Cables In Floriana
Two men have been charged and sentenced for cutting cables in Floriana leaving half of Valletta without internet service.
30-year-old Shardian Camilleri, resident of Ħaż-Żabbar, and 39-year-old Dominic Oziegbe, resident of Marsascala were handed two-year jail terms suspended for five years this morning, TVM reported.
They were found guilty of tearing out fibre optic and copper cables from an underground tunnel in Floriana in an attempt to steal them.
The Court was informed by the Prosecution that it had received reports from GO about damages in the tunnels underneath the Argotti Gardens.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the men carrying tools and wearing protective clothing, despite attempting to hide within the tunnels. The officers further discovered rolled-up cables and bags intended to carry them, according to the Prosecution.
The cost of the crime amounts to €4,500.
Due to the crime, parts of Floriana and half of Valletta were left without internet service, causing a major nuisance to locals.
The men pleaded guilty along with the suspended sentences, they have been ordered to pay GO for the damages caused at the rate of €100 a month.
Meanwhile, another Maltese man was also arrested in connection with the cable crime. 39-year-old David Scicluna, resident of Marsascala, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody. It was argued that he had started to carry away the cables.
Nonetheless, Scicluna was charged separately for relapsing.
The Prosecution was represented by lawyer Brandon Bonnici from the office of the Attorney General, along with inspectors Jeffrey Rizzo and Daryl Borg.
Lawyer Roberta Bonello Felice appeared for Scicluna, and Camilleri and Oziegbe were assisted by legal aid lawyer Luke Valletta. Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi presided over the case.
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