A man who admitted stealing €22,000 in cash from a priest’s home in Rabat has been jailed for four years.

Anthony Galea, 49, pleaded guilty to stealing the cash from Fr Adrian Cachia last Friday.

He also admitted to being in possession of cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and relapsing.

Johann Calleja, 27, was charged with the theft but pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Francesco Depasquale.

He also denied trafficking cocaine and committing a crime during a suspended sentence’s operative period

Both men are homeless.

The court heard Mr Galea was found by the police in a hotel and had used some of the stolen cash to pay the bill.

Mr Calleja was found in Ħamrun. No request for bail was made and Mr Calleja was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace appeared for the two men. Police Inspectors Chris Pullicino and Geoffrey Azzopardi prosecuted.

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