Two admit stealing diesel

Two men admitted in court today to have stolen a quantity of diesel from a bowser in a quarry near Siggiewi.

Jesmond Vella, 28 of Rabat and Joseph Cardona, 20 of Siggiewi, admitted to selling diesel worth more than €2,300 over a period of several months. They used to siphon off the diesel in small jerry cans.

Mr Vella was also charged with relapsing.

Defence lawyers Jose' Herrera and Luciano Busuttil told the court that their clients admitted the charges.

Dr Herrera said his client was a first-time offender and he called for a conditional discharge because he was still young and a suspended jail term would create more problems. He also argued that the amount  which the quarry owners were claiming to have been stolen was excessive but he was not prepared to file a formal plea in order not to prolong the court case.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca said that with regards to Mr Vella, the charges regarding relapsing involved the Family Court and traffic offences.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke placed Vella on probation for two years and conditionally discharged Cardona for two years.