Teenager admits aiding theft

A English teenager was yesterday conditionally discharged for three years after he admitted to being present when his friend burgled a car on Monday night.

Christian Matthew Kelly, 19, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting Gareth Dowling in breaking into Martin Scerri's jeep in St Paul's Bay.

"I deeply regret going out to drink with him (Dowling) that night and getting drunk. Although I was there at the time of the burglary I never put my hands in the car. I just got caught in the situation," he said.

After informing Kelly of the consequences of a guilty plea, Magistrate Abigail Lofaro moved to pass judgment and noted that he had a clean criminal record.

Meanwhile, Dowling, 24, who resides in the UK, was arraigned separately and pleaded guilty to burgling Scerri's car and damaging it, damaging another car and threatening Kelly.

His case was put off for judgment but he was denied bail due to the fear that he would abscond.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.

Dr Leslie Cuschieri was legal aid for Dowling while Kelly appeared unrepresented.