Jail for €400,000 burglary

A man nicknamed the devil has been jailed for stealing €400,000 worth of jewellery and other items from a Sliema house in a three-day operation carried out while the owner was on holiday at the start of summer.

Only a few trinkets remain of the treasure trove, many of the gold items having been sold, Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca told a court.

Joseph Camilleri, 38, of Żebbuġ, also known as Ix-Xitan, yesterday pleaded guilty to the burglary as well as to damaging the front door of the house, breaching the conditions of a previous release and relapsing.

The police had found the leftover jewellery and €20,000 in cash on his person when they searched his home, the inspector testified.

Another man is expected to be arraigned in connection with crime in the coming days. The theft took place at night between June 21 and 23, with access gained through the front door.

During yesterday’s arraignment, Mr Camilleri’s counsel Roberto Montalto told the court that he had already spoken to the prosecution regarding punishment, since his client was to admit to the charges. He said they agreed on a jail term of two years and six months.

Taking into consideration all the charges and his early guilty plea, Magistrate Antonio Vella jailed Mr Camilleri for three years.