Man walks free after being wrongly charged over hold-up

A court has withdrawn the charges against 27-year-old Darryl Luke Borg, who was wrongly prosecuted for a hold up on Birkikrara's The Convenience Shop, after another man admitted to the crime.

This morning police inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Carlos Cordina explained to the court that on 7 August, Borg was charged with the theft. The man pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Two days later, on 9 August, police inspector Elton Taliana arraigned Roderick Grech over the same hold-up. Grech admitted to the theft and was handed a four-year, suspended jail term. 

On the same day of Grech's hearing, the police presented a court application asking that Darryl Luke Borg is set free. Magistrate Claire Stafrce Zammit acceded to the request.

In today's sitting, the police prosecutors informed the court that the police wish to withdraw the charges against Borg.

Magistrate Carol Peralta lightheartedly asked the defence lawyers if they had any objection to the prosecution's request, and proceeded to call off the charges leveled against the youth.

Lawyers David Camilleri and Joseph Gatt appeared for Darryl Luke Borg.