A man admitted in court today to stealing around €3,100 worth of vegetables and drinks from a vegetable truck in Sliema.

Gordon Caruana, 33, of Santa Lucija, was charged with theft on August 20 and the months before.

Prosecuting Inspector Jason Sultana told Magistrate Aaron Bugeja, that over the past three months, there were several reports of theft from a vegetable truck in Dingli Street after the owner noticed several items went missing.

Footage from CCTV cameras showed a waste collection truck stopping next to the vegetable vendor and a man, just wearing shorts and with tattoos on his back, stealing the items.

The police set up watch and saw him. However, Mr Sultana said Mr Caruana fully cooperated with the police and came to the police station when requested.

He also asked Magistrate Bugeja that Mr Caruana pay back the amount stolen and was placed under community service.

Lawyer Noel Biancho, who appeared for Mr Caruana, agreed with the inspector and said his client had made a mistake.

Magistrate Bugeja said there were several infractions on his criminal record.

He ordered the director of parole and probation services to prepare a pre-sentencing report by September 15 to see whether he qualified for probation and community service order.

Mr Sultana did not object to a request for bail but asked that Mr Caruana be placed under certain conditions.

Magistrate Bugeja granted bail against a personal guarantee of €4,000.