A thief who was caught red-handed as he left a Sliema block carrying items stolen from two apartments was handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty before a magistrate on Thursday. 

The thefts took place on Tuesday.

Prosecuting inspectors Saviour Baldacchino and Bernardette Valletta explained how police had been alerted to the presence of a stranger inside an apartment block in Sliema.

Policemen came across Francesco Loporcaro, 47, residing at Paola, as he was exiting the block with a bagful of items he had just stolen.

Mr Loporcaro was accused of stealing a watch, jewellery, fishing tackle and other items.

“Colpevole, si’,” the Bari-born electrician pleaded without the slightest hesitation, adding that he regretted his actions and promised to cooperate with the police.

Defence lawyer Joseph Brincat suggested that his client deserved a suspended sentence in view of his early guilty plea and his cooperation with the police.

The prosecution did not insist upon an effective jail term but pointed out that not all stolen items had been recovered. 

Magistrate Josette Demicoli handed down a 2-year jail term suspended for four years, warning Mr Loporcaro to steer clear of any other offence.

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