A man who spent some time working as a handyman at a house in Sliema yesterday pleaded guilty to stealing €15,000 worth of jewellery.

Joseph Grech, 47, from Sliema admitted taking the jewellery from a house in St Dominic Street in his hometown between September 1 and October 3 last year. He was working on a project as a part-time handyman.

Sources said the man was tracked down after he sold the jewellery to a jewellers in Sliema.

Mr Grech pleaded guilty to the offence as well as to breaching previous court orders after admitting to similar charges in 2013.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 after the court ordered a pre-sentencing inquiry report. The case has been deferred to May for sentencing.

Mr Grech appeared in court last November after vandalising the façade of a house in Sliema with blue paint after its owner demanded that he pays for a cane curtain he damaged while painting the house next door. He had been caught after a bucket with blue paint was found on the pavement and had a sticker with his name on it.

Police Inspectors Carlos Cordina and Jason Francis Sultana prosecuted while Franco Debono appeared for the accused.

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