Charged with stealing searchlight

A man appeared in court yesterday charged with stealing a searchlight which, the prosecution says, he wanted to use for a barbecue.

Jurgen Scerri, 30, was spotted by a watchman at the San Ġwann industrial estate near the Foster Clarks factory at about 5 p.m. on July 27 last year and the watchman then reported to the police that he had seen a car leaving a factory loaded with tools and a searchlight, Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia said.

In a statement to the police, Mr Scerri said he had taken the searchlight to use it at a barbecue, the officer said. The police had traced the car used to transport the allegedly stolen items because the watchman had noted the registration number. It resulted that the car belonged to Mr Scerri's former girlfriend, the court heard.

Mr Scerri is pleading not guilty.

Lawyer Marvic Debarro appeared for the Mr Scerri.