Romanian sentenced to 12 months imprisonment following theft at two retail outlets

A 22-year-old Romanian man has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing clothes from two retail outlets in Sliema.

The incident took place on Saturday 3 September. Susan Andrei, the accused, was arraigned in court this morning and charged with aggravated theft from a shop at Tigne Point as well as theft exceeding the value of €230 from a separate shop in Sliema.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia presiding over the case stated that the courts have taken into consideration the fact that Mr Andrei cooperated with the police and immediately admitted to the theft that took place on 3 September, as well as a separate theft that took place on 29 January – admitted during interrogations – and that the accused pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

In addition to this, the Court stated that it must also consider the face that the accused is in Malta without employment nor does he have a fixed placed of residence.

Magistrate Farrugia continued by saying although the accused appeared to be stealing because there was no other alternative in his particular circumstance, the Courts must send out a strong message against such behaviour.

In light of this, Mr Andrei was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. Inspector Mark Mercieca prosecuted. 

from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2czkJdW
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