CCTV nets burglar

Charles Farrugia, 31, of Zejtun, was today conditionally discharged for three years after admitting in court to having stolen around €233 in cash as well as polishing material from his former employer SECA Electroplating Ltd, at San Gwann Industrial Estate earlier this month.

Police Inspector Nicolai Sant exhibited photos and CCTV footage which showed Mr Farrugia committing the robbery.

Defence counsel Robert Abela said that his client deserved to be treated as a first-time offender since the only convictions on his record were contraventions. The €120 in cash had been returned and the polishing material still had to be returned. Dr Abela added.

The prosecution asked the court for a suspended sentence as it felt that a jail term would be inappropriate.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli handed down a three-year conditional discharge.

At this point, Mr Farrugia's father, who had stood in the public gallery throughout the hearing, applauded the Magistrate after she handed the judgement and then left.

Magistrate Demicoli ordered him back and asked him why he had been clapping. He promptly excused himself after Dr Abela told him to do so, telling the court he had never been in a courtroom before. The Magistrate told him that a Court should be respected.