A man admitted to his involvement in the attempted burglary of a house in Birkirkara but he got off with a suspended sentence after a court heard how he had fully cooperated with the police and had been 'practically coerced' to involve himself in the crime.

Another man pleaded not guilty while another two suspects are still being sought.

Tristan Tedesco, 21, from Birkirkara, and Rosmar Bugeja, 22, from Żejtun, were accused of the attempted burglary, which took place on July 28.

Inspector Elton Taliana, prosecuting, said the two attempted to break into the house. 

The two were also charged with having knowingly received a stolen Peugeot vehicle and with having been in possession of a knife without the necessary police licence.

Mr Tedesco was separately charged with having, through negligence, caused damage to third party property, to having driven the Peugeot without insurance cover and without number plates, as well as with having been involved in a hit and run incident wherein a third party was injured.

Mr Bugeja admitted the charges but Mr Tedesco pleaded not guilty.

A request for bail made by Mr Tedesco was turned down, with the prosecution pointing out that other persons were being investigated as suspects.

Inspector Taliana also pointed out the accused’s tainted criminal record and unruly character.

Lawyer Franco Debono, representing the victim, said his client was psychologically traumatised since one of the men involved in this attempt was the person he trusted most in the business he handled.  “Besides, there was an infant inside the house at the time of the attempted burglary,” he added.

In view of the possible risk of tampering with evidence, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli turned down the request for bail.

SUSPECT HELPED INVESTIGATORS

The court was told that Mr Bugeja had cooperated with investigators, supplying all the details which had put the police on the track of the other persons allegedly involved in the crime.

Moreover, his version had been perfectly corroborated by CCTV footage recovered by the police, Inspector Taliana explained, adding that Mr Bugeja had claimed to have been ‘almost coerced’ to participate in the attempt, although his active role could not be denied.

Upon the man’s admission and in view of the evidence put forward, the court declared him guilty and handed down a two-year jail term suspended for four years as well as a €118 fine.

“He’s young. Let’s hope that he learns a lesson,” the magistrate observed.

Lawyer Amadeus Cachia also appeared parte civile.