Suspended jail term

Two men were yesterday given a six-month jail term suspended for a year after they admitted to exercising a presumed right when they took furniture and other ornamental items from someone else's residence.

Magistrate Anthony Vella heard Alfred Gatt, 53, of Qormi and Antoine Lawrence Mallia, 30, of Zebbug plead guilty to exercising the presumed right when they took the items, worth over Lm1,000, from Evelyn Grech's house, which they also damaged on Wednesday.

The magistrate heard lawyer Roberto Montalto, for the two men, explain that his clients had returned the stolen items to their owner and were willing to pay for the damage caused.

Police Inspector Anthony Cassar told the court the two men had cooperated with the police.

Magistrate Vella gave them a suspended jail term and ordered them to pay Lm200 in compensation to Ms Grech.