Church thief gets one year’s jail for stealing handbag during mass

Jesmond Aquilina, 42 of Bormla, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to the theft of a handbag from a church in Birgu.

Inspector Frankie Sammut told the court that during mass at the Birgu parish church on 16 July, Aquilina stole a handbag belonging to Emanuela Caruana. When the police apprehended the accused he admitted to the theft. Aquilina again admitted to the charges levelled against him in court. He was also charged with relapsing.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri noted the accused's voluminous police conduct and handed Aquilina a 12-month jail term.