Man admits stealing alcohol from closed bar

A Romanian man who broke into a bar with his brother-in-law after a heavy drinking session with family and friends - and helped himself to more alcohol - has pleaded guilty to theft.

Ionel Constantin, 31, of San Ġwann and Vasile Danciu, also 31, of Paceville were caught drinking inside a closed bar in Paceville on April 10.

The two men had been drinking in Mr Danciu's apartment and then decided to go to their favourite haunt, Clique Bar in St George's Road, Paceville.

The fact that they found it closed did not deter them. They smashed the door down and helped themselves to bottles of alcohol before they were disturbed by the arrival of the police, who arrested them.

While in custody in his cell, Mr Constantin cut his arm with a broken light bulb and was immediately taken to Mount Carmel Hospital from where he was released two days ago.

Mr Constantin admitted to stealing from the bar, damaging property, resisting arrest, slightly injuring an officer, being drunk in public and also damaging his cell.

Magistrate Edwina Grima handed down a one-year jail term suspended for two after taking into consideration his early guilty plea.

Mr Danciu had already been given a suspended jail term on similar charges.

Police Inspector Nikolai Sant prosecuted.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared for Mr Constantin.