Property crimes top July prosecutions, ODPP data shows

Property crimes, including theft and aggravated burglary, topped the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) statistics for July.

Of the 42 people charged during the month, three were juveniles and 22 victims were affected.

The ODPP recorded nine counts of theft and seven counts of aggravated burglary.

There were also five counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and four counts each of aggravated robbery and acts intended to cause grievous harm.

In one case, three juveniles — two aged 16 and one aged 17 — were charged with aggravated burglary and theft after allegedly breaking into a flat and stealing household items.

Foreign nationals charged

Foreign nationals also featured in the ODPP's July drug-related cases.

A Hungarian national was charged with importing and possessing 4.87 kilograms of methamphetamine, while a Malaysian national and two locals were charged with importing and possessing 491.6 grams of methamphetamine.

The ODPP also recorded two counts of unlawful importation of illicit drugs. Other serious charges recorded in July included one count each of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, manslaughter arising from breach of duty, arson, attempted arson, assault causing actual bodily harm and serious assault.

A 30-year-old man was charged with murder after allegedly assaulting a 36-year-old man, who later died.

Three men were charged with the attempted murder of a police officer at a Laqere roadblock. Charges against two of the men were later discontinued.

In another case, a 30-year-old man was charged with manslaughter following an alleged fatal assault.

A 58-year-old bus driver was charged with manslaughter arising from breach of duty following a fatal 2022 incident involving a passenger.

A 47-year-old caretaker was charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to her employer's house following a wage dispute.

Domestic violence cases

The ODPP also recorded five domestic violence-related cases.

These included attempted arson involving a de facto partner's home, assault causing actual bodily harm involving a wife, and two separate grievous harm cases involving relatives.