Young twins plotted to burgle aunt's house, court hears

Two 15-year-old twins plotted with a Sicilian man to steal nearly €17,000 worth of items from their aunt's house in Marsascala, a court was told today.

They allegedly stole a quantity of jewellery, an iPhone and a Nintendo DS.

Police Inspector Sylvana Briffa spoke of the plot as described to the police by the twins during the compilation of evidence against Mario Campolo, 38 of Catania. He stands accused of participating in the burglary, handling stolen property and breaching a probation order.

The burglary took place in March. 

Inspector Briffa said the police received a tip-off that a 15-year-old may have been involved in the robbery. They tracked down the boy who told them that he and his brother had agreed with the accused to burgle their aunt's house. 

One of the boys told the police that the accused drove the boys to their aunt's house. The accused then gained access to the house through a vacant adjoining property.

After the robbery they stopped at a jewellery shop in Fgura  and sold some of the gold for €700.

They then went to Birkirkara where they sold two diamond encrusted rings to another jeweller.

They got rid of jewellery boxes and other items they did not need in Tarxien, the inspector said.

The inspector said that the other boy confirmed the version given by his brother before having had time to discuss it with him. 

The accused, Mario Campolo admitted to the police that he had given a lift  to the twins but he denied participating in the burglary. He  admitted going to the Fgura and Birkirkara jewellery shops with them and that he disposed of jewellery boxes in Tarxien.

Under cross examination the inspector said that according to the information given to the police, the twins did not get more than €1,000 each for the jewellery.