A man found unsuitable for Mental Health Treatment Court has been sentenced to almost two years behind bars.

Valiant Santucci, 24, was initially ordered to take part in the treatment programme in March after he admitted having a knife in a public place.

However, court staff found him unsuitable for treatment court and he appeared in Magistrates’ Court for resentencing yesterday.

The court heard that Santucci, from Pembroke, was offered many opportunities and professional counselling sessions through the programme, but showed a “constant dismissive attitude” while participating.

He was previously sentenced to take part in treatment court after admitting having cannabis with intent to supply and drug equipment in 2019.

Prosecutor Taneka King requested that Santucci be resentenced to time behind bars for all three offences.

Magistrate Auralee Cassidy agreed with Ms King and told Santucci that incarceration was “the option only after all other options have been made”.

Ms Cassidy sentenced Santucci to nine months in prison for drug possession and one month for the equipment, to run concurrently.

Santucci was sentenced to an additional year behind bars for having the knife, which will start after his nine-month term ends.

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