A man was jailed for 13 months and another conditionally discharged for two years for their participation in the theft of €582.50 (Lm250) worth of cosmetics and cash from a bazaar in Żabbar in 2000.

Brian Mallia, 34, of Żabbar pleaded guilty to the charges of stealing €93.20 (Lm40) in cash and €582.50 (Lm250) worth of cosmetics from KGM Bazaar, causing under €116.50 (Lm50) in damage to the premises and handling stolen property.

The other man, a 24-year-old who cannot be named because he was a minor at the time of the crime, had pleaded not guilty to the same charges but the court noted that during the investigations he had admitted his participation in the theft. With regard to the punishment, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli took into consideration the fact that it was not the first time Mr Mallia had broken the law and that he had been given various opportunities to reform himself.

The court also considered the fact that the items taken had been returned and that Mr Mallia had fully cooperated with the police in their investigations. He was subsequently jailed for 13 months.

With regard to the 24-year-old man, the court felt that, since the crime had taken place when he was still a minor and he had no police record, he should be given a chance to reform and, therefore, conditionally discharged him for two years.

Police Inspector Jeffrey Cilia prosecuted. Lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared for Mr Tanti and lawyer Martin Fenech appeared for Mr Mallia.