A man admitted in court today to stealing more than €20,000 worth of stainless-steel panelling from more than 40 bus stops all over Malta.

Jeffrey Agius, 48 of Birkirkara was arraigned today and admitted to the thefts, which took place this month.

Police Inspector Joseph Busuttil said the police had received a large number of reports about these panels being stolen from below the advertising signs on the bus stops. He said the police were still trying to track down the panels, which were probably in a container about to leave the island since Mr Agius had sold them to a scrapyard which in turn sold them to somebody abroad.

Magistrate Anthony Vella noted that although the accused had been previously convicted of theft and been conditionally discharged and placed on probation, he could not be found guilty of relapsing since quite some time had elapsed from those convictions.

Lawyer Christine Belizzi said her client had a recurring drug problem.

Magistrate Vella said this was no excuse for this type of behaviour.

Dr Belizzi said she was not justifying the crime, but stating the reason why.

The Magistrate condemned Mr Agius to a two-year jail term suspended for four years and a supervision order for two years.

Note:

This report for a few minutes mistakenly omitted the words 'her client' with reference to the comments by Dr Belizzi. The inconvenience is regretted.