Man granted bail over theft of tablet

A 50-year-old man whose partner is expecting a child, was granted bail after pleading not guilty to charges of aggravated theft.

Police inspector Sandra Zammit told a court that early yesterday morning, Carmelo Gauci, who resides at Qawra, stole a Samsung Galaxy tablet from inside a Toyota Vitz parked in Triq it-Turisti, in his town of residence.

The tablet was later located by its owner through a geolocation software programme, and the information passed to the police. It was given to its rightful owner after being retrieved from the accused's car. 

Looking visibly shaken, Gauci still refused legal assistance, telling Magistrate Franco Depasquale he did not deem the case to be serious enough The magistrate replied that theft was not a frivolous daily occurrence, and appointed Dr Mark Mifsud Cutajar as legal aid. The court noted that Gauci's criminal record included various theft related convictions.

During interrogation, the accused said he could not resist the temptation of stealing the tablet. Gauci said he works as a delivery man, apart from holding down two others jobs doing door-to-door deliveries in the evening, and then working in an abattoir from 11pm to 4am.

Magistrate Depasquale granted bail to the accused on condition that he signs at the Qawra police station three times a week on a personal guarantee of €5,000.