Man has three ponies returned to him after two were stolen

Antonio Briffa, 34, from Paola, was charged with purchasing two Shetland Ponies, which had been reported as stolen from Santos Barbara.

Magistrate Edwina Grima heard how in an unexpected turn of events, Barbara was surprised when three ponies were returned to him as one of the ponies is now pregnant.

Briffa told the court that while the ponies were in his care one of them had mated and got pregnant.

Inspector Spiridione Zammit told the court that the accused had purchased the ponies, which on 15 September were found on his farm, Il-Girbeg, in Luqa.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges and was conditionally discharged for two years.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused.