Italian man pleads guilty to receiving car that was stolen in the UK

An Italian man today pleaded guilty to receiving a car stolen from the UK.

In his judgement, Magistrate Aaron Bugeja sentenced Mr Andrea Benini to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Mr Benini, 45, residing in St Julian's, was charged with knowingly purchasing or receiving the car on 19 August, 2015 at Triq ix-Xatt, Gzira at 7.30pm. The Court understood that Mr Benini had cooperated with the police and handed over the keys and all documentation on the vehicle in question.

He had moved to Malta together with his wife of Maltese origin and their family. The Court noted that he had a clean criminal record sheet and was willing to see the vehicle returned to its rightful owners.

The Court was obliged to consider this offence as a particularly serious one, not only because of the apparent high value of the stolen vehicle, but also because it falls within the realm of cross-border criminal offences.

Mr Benini was ordered to conduct 100 hours of community service as directed to him by the Director of Probation. A supervision order was also imposed. 

from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1RN7sez
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