A Bulgarian man who works as a dish washer admitted today that he used a chaser to cut open the safe at Time Square Restaurant in Sliema, from where he stole €5,000.

Yulian Vasilev Iliev, 30 admitted the theft, which took place last Monday at 4 a.m.

He said he has been in Malta for a few years and was employed at the restaurant as a dishwasher. The theft, he said, was committed with another man, but did not give details.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia said the police had so far only recovered €750 from the stolen amount. It appeared, he said, that the rest of the money had already been spent since people close to the accused had a drug problem.

Legal aid lawyer Mark Busuttil that the accused was a first time offender and, he pointed out, he was pleading guilty immediately.

Magistrate Mirian Hayman said that if the accused thought he could get away with an order to return the money and a conditional discharge, he was mistaken.

Sentence will be delivered on Friday.