A man entered a block of 27 flats under construction in Marsascala on Monday and stole wires worth thousands of euros, ripping some of them out from under the tiles.
Tile layer Paul Zammit, 47, of Mosta, pleaded guilty and was given a suspended sentence, as well as being ordered to pay €7,000 in compensation to the owner of the block, Leone Camilleri.
Mr Zammit also pleaded guilty to stealing a compressor, a welding set and other tools. Another man is to be arraigned.
Mr Camilleri claimed the damage could exceed €13,000 as some wires were taken from underneath the tiles and the full extent of the theft is still to be revealed.
Magistrate Vella sentenced Mr Zammit to 18 months behind bars suspended for three years and placed him under the supervision of a probation officer.
The amount owed must be paid back within six months.