Lm500 fine for complicity in theft

A 22-year-old man from Msida who pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to theft of mobile phones exceeding Lm1,000 was yesterday fined Lm500 and put on probation for three years.

Kenneth Portelli was charged by Inspectors Mario Tonna and Bertu Mula with committing a theft of mobile phones from Phoneworld in San Gwann on November 25 and again on March 18, with stealing from Phone Connections in Ta' Xbiex on January 20 this year and with stealing an Opel Kadett to the detriment of Albert Cassar.

He was further charged with causing wilful damage to the car and shops and with selling stolen goods.

The court considered that Portelli cooperated fully with the police, had a clean criminal record and declared he would testify in the case against his accomplices, Lee and Sonny Demanuele, who have been remanded in custody after they were charged in court earlier this month.

Dr Robert Abela and Dr Ian Stafrace appeared for the accused.