Two steal cash from vending machines

A 27-year-old man was yesterday jailed for two years after he admitted to stealing cash from three vending machines last month.

Barry John Grant, of Birkirkara, was arraigned with 23-year-old Matthew Schembri and the two admitted to stealing from vending machines.

Mr Grant and Mr Schembri, also from Birkirkara, were caught red-handed trying to break open a machine in the Bulebel industrial estate last Monday, by police who were patrolling the area.

Both men were charged with stealing money from two machines in Mqabba and Ħal Far and trying to steal from the Bulebel one.

Mr Grant alone was charged with stealing cash from another vending machine in Mosta and breaching a previous probation order and the conditions of a previous release.

He was jailed for two years while Mr Schembri, who is a first time offender, was put on probation for three years. Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, who presided over the case, recommended that Mr Grant attend a drug rehabilitation programme while serving time.

Police Inspectors Anthony Portelli and Carlos Cordina prosecuted. Lawyers Chris Cardona and Mark Vassallo represented the accused.