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Malta man in Victoria convicted of extortion An Australian of Maltese descent, Martin Farrugia from Box Hill, Victoria, is expected to be sentenced on extortion charges after targeting his victim twice in 30 years.Farrugia first targeted the retiree, who cannot be named, during regular visits to his Melbourne flat. He was intimidated and forced to hand over cash after his identity and address were found in documents stolen from his car days before the first visit. According to court proceedings, the man had reported the incidents to a detective but was told he “deserved it” because he was homosexual. Eventually he escaped his tormenters in 1983 and settled in Victoria. But Farrugia found him in 1999, this time having recruited his sons to join in the crime. Prosecutor Patrick Southey said Farrugia lacked any remorse or empathy for his victim, and had “effectively, over two generations, preyed on this man in this cowardly fashion”. In jailing Adam and Matthew Farrugia, Judge Tim Wood found their father had “embedded” them with the idea that their victim was an “easy touch”. The court was told the father treated the man as a “cash cow”. He told police he used the money to gamble and for his children’s education. In total, the Farrugia family stole more than $186,000 (€124,000). Adam Farrugia, 27, pleaded guilty to two robberies and one charge of false imprisonment between 2002 and 2007. Matthew Farrugia, 25, pleaded guilty to one armed robbery, a robbery and indecent assault. Their father, a sole parent, pleaded guilty to six charges between 1999 and 2007, including three blackmail counts and one of armed robbery. Farrugia told police the man had paid his friends for “sexual activities” and claimed the man paid Farrugia money for protection against those who might have harmed him over alleged sex acts with boys. The prosecutor said Farrugia had told a psychologist he regarded the man as a “homosexual paedophile” but he had also “protected him and introduced his own two sons” to him. “This is just an excuse for targeting a very vulnerable, soft and easy target,” Patrick Southey said. Matthew Farrugia went to the man’s home 18 times and used intimidation and threats of violence to obtain $146,000 (€97,000). He once threatened him with a meat cleaver and later ordered him to undress, took photos and distributed them. Adam Farrugia robbed the man of his ATM card and withdrew $4000 (€2,600) in five withdrawals. Judge Wood said Matthew’s “dysfunctional family circumstances” and Adam’s long history of offending “must be seen in the circumstances of [their] disadvantaged upbringing.” He found their culpability was reduced because their father had “nourished in [them] an attitude of criminal disposition.” Matthew Farrugia was jailed for five years, with a three-year minimum. Adam Farrugia was jailed for three years with a minimum of 21 months. Martin Farrugia will be sentenced later. Any comments? |
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Managing editor Saviour Balzan | Tel. ++356 21382741 | Fax: ++356 21385075 | Email
Managing editor Saviour Balzan | Tel. ++356 21382741 | Fax: ++356 21385075 | Email