Security camera footage insufficient to identify thief
A man who was accused of stealing a quantity of copper wire and other items from a scrapyard in Luqa, was acquitted today after a court held that he was not sufficiently identifiable from footage taken by security cameras.
Kenneth Ellul, 36 of Paola was accused of stealing from the scrap yard in April.The total value of the haul was of more than €2,333. He was also accused of handling stolen goods.
Footage showed a man rummaging in the scrap yard and throwing items over the gate to another man who was waiting near a car.
The owners of the scrap yard, Charles and Paul Cremona, said they recognised the accused as the one who had entered the scrap yard. They said he had previously called at the scrapyard to sell them items.
The prosecution said that on the day after the theft, the accused called at Borda Urpani dealers and sold them 700 kilos of copper.
The court said that after viewing the images, it was acquitting the accused because of doubts about his identity as seen on the footage.
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17 Comments
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David Thorne
Jul 30th 2010, 08:19
Although the images captured may appear not to be capable of use in identifying the individual the report does not say if the video material was analyzed by an expert. If it wasn't then the prosecutor has possibly missed an opportunity to have been in a stronger position.
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 29th 2010, 16:46
It would probably be quite difficult to see clearly if the CCTV cameras were far off, and the theft was done during the night.
A Zammit
Jul 29th 2010, 13:39
The "trade" of copper should be much more worrying rather than a thief not being caught.
mark johnson
Jul 29th 2010, 13:26
"Footage showed a man rummaging in the scrap yard and throwing items over the gate to another man who was waiting near a car"
700 kilos is some rummaging and some throwing!!!!
M Vella
Jul 29th 2010, 12:21
Then security cameras are for nothing
M. Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 12:54
Did it ever occur to you that he could have not been facing the camera, but the camera was filming him from behind!
Do you have the evidence to suggest that CCTV is up to no good? There are a lot of cases worldwide that have shown the worth of CCTV.
You are just one of those ready to criticize without thinking some elementary stuff.
Franco Xuereb
Jul 29th 2010, 13:34
@ Matthew Grima
To a point I agree with your comment, but the question that I put to you all is that , if the viewing image were in doubts as to identify the person in question red handed, then why did the police proceed by taking the person to our Law Courts?
M. Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 14:09
@ Franco Xuereb
I do agree with you on that one
M Vella
Jul 29th 2010, 16:31
@Matthew Grima in the news article it states that it was cameras not a single camera,so if he was shot by one from the back as you are stating the others would have shot him from the front,simple you don't have to be a rocket scientist
M. Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 17:34
@ M.Vella
CCTV cameras are not always placed around a whole area. They are only placed around areas of vulnerability, especially due to the costs involved. So, there might have been for example 3 cameras, but recording a specific spot which was not exactly where the suspect might have been and only caught him at a side.
Treat it with an open mind, that is all I'm saying and don't stick to one conclusion.
It seems as though you know everything. Notice that I always use the word MIGHT. You on the other hand have all the answers!
M Vella
Jul 29th 2010, 17:44
Matthew Grima you must have a CCTV business yes :)
M. Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 18:31
@ M. Vella
I assure you I am not. But I can tell you I know what I am saying. Lets leave it at that.
Michael Neville Cassar
Jul 29th 2010, 12:12
This is fantastic , where did he get the 700 kilo of cooper that he sold from .
Paul Barrett
Jul 29th 2010, 13:05
Exactly - did he have an explanation for that?
Paul Skinback
Jul 29th 2010, 13:34
That's a different kettle of fish, I'm afraid.
JM Camilleri
Jul 29th 2010, 11:57
VERY lucky.....
Luke Scicluna
Jul 29th 2010, 11:50
Lucky...