A 17-year-old language student was yesterday found not guilty of stealing €40 from another student living with the same host family.

The student, who cannot be named because he is a minor, was charged with stealing €40 from a 15-year-old student on Wednesday.

The court heard that the 15-year-old boy had stolen €380 and pleaded guilty to the theft on Wednesday.

During investigations, the 15-year-old had paid back the money to two of the victims but failed to pay back the third.

On hearing this, the 17-year-old went to the room of the 15-year-old and took €40 on behalf of his best friend who was a victim of the first theft and who had still not received his money back.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani ruled that this was not a case of theft but actually the boy taking the law into his own hands. He was subsequently acquitted.

Police Inspector Keith Arnaud prosecuted.

Lawyer Joseph Zammit appeared for the boy.