A 33-year-old man from Tarxien has pleaded guilty to robbing his former employer in order to pay him money he owed him in the first place. 

Charlot Camilleri was accused in court with stealing €7,500 from Aquatess Marketing Ltd, Qormi, where he was employed by Andrew Ellul Sullivan. The theft was carried out last month with the help of a 16-year-old accomplice, who was handed €1,000 from the stolen cash.

The teenager was arraigned yesterday and put on probation.

The court was told that Mr Camilleri had debts with his employer which had accumulated over two years. As a result, some €50 a week were being deducted from his pay. 

Standing in the dock with downcast eyes and clasped hands, Mr Camilleri pleaded guilty. 

Defence lawyer Roberta Spiteri argued that Mr Camilleri had a very difficult upbringing and asked the court for probation.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace rejected the request, adding that she could not quite understand why the accused, who had been employed and was earning money, decided to rob his employer.

She questioned whether he had a debt or a habit to sustain.

The court handed him a two-year jail sentence suspended for four years and ordered him to pay back €6,500 within six months. 

Mr Camilleri's cousin, who is also his new employer, will act as guarantor.