The Permanent Criminal Court sitting in Paphos imposed a maximum sentence of three years in prison on Tuesday against 43-year-old convicted felon Doros Theofanous, known as "hairdresser", for his escape from legal detention in violation of the provisions of article 128 of the Criminal Code.
A maximum sentence of one year in prison was also imposed on the 28-year-old, second defendant, for disobeying lawful orders and for the charge of aiding and abetting the commission of an offense in violation of articles 23 and 24 of the Criminal Code.
As reported to the Court, the decision was unanimous. The Court took into account the admission of the two defendants, noting that this constitutes evidence of remorse and awareness of their wrongful and unlawful actions.
The Court characterized as an aggravating circumstance the circumstances under which the 43-year-old first defendant escaped, even with outside help.
Given the facts, the President of the Criminal Court stated in announcing his decision, the specific decision by defendant 1 was not an opportunistic escape or a momentary event but a well-organized event.
It was also pointed out that the 43-year-old did not surrender to the Police voluntarily but was arrested following coordinated actions by the Police.
Regarding the admission of the two defendants who were found guilty, the Court stated that it has saved valuable judicial time that would have been wasted if they had taken a different stance, something which, according to case law, constitutes "a process that promotes the purposes of justice" and creates a basis for a reduction in the sentence imposed.
Regarding the 28-year-old, 2nd defendant, the Court stated that it is characteristic that despite the leniency he was given and he was released before the completion of his previous sentence, he found himself confronted with the law again.
