A couple who stole several charity donation boxes from shops and committed a string of other thefts were today sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, and placed on probation for three years.

Sandra Grixti, 26, from Żurrieq, and Christian Said, 31, from Fgura, both unemployed, admitted to stealing the donation boxes and to other thefts over three months.

As well as the suspended jail term, Magistrate Gabriella Vella ordered Mr Said’s rearrest and jailed him for two months after finding him guilty of breaching bail. She also ordered him to pay the €5,000 personal guarantee he had pledged to be bailed over another case. The court heard he has a drug addiction.

The couple were arrested after they grabbed a donation box from a lotto office in Żebbug and fled last Tuesday. The donation box was collecting funds for Moviment Missjunarju Ġesu fil-Proxxmu.

The previous day, they stole an Inspire donation box while a day before that, at 6.15am, they stole a handbag containing cash and a chequebook from a butcher in Kalkara.

They also pleaded guilty to stealing yet another donation box, this time for the Breast Cancer Awareness Group ,from a shop in Żabbar in October 22 and to stealing cash from a Mercedes parked in Żabbar on October 13.

They also stole a Mission Fund donation box from a shop in Birkirkara and another Inspire donation box from a different outlet an hour later.

Police Inspectors Josric Mifsud, Joseph Mercieca and Roderick Agius prosecuted while lawyers Noel Bianco, Silvio Brincat and Yanika Bugeja appeared for the accused.