Four-year suspended jail term for stealing mobile phone

Ionut Neagu, 24, was handed a 16-month jail term, suspended for four years, after admitting to stealing a mobile phone from a Libyan national.

Earlier this week, the court heard how the Romanian national met Libyan Mohamed Elbakkouri and asked him to lend him his mobile to call his girlfriend. However when the Libyan handed over his HTC mobile phone, the accused ran away with it. Days later, the victim recognised the thief and reported him to the police.

On Monday, Inspector Daryl Borg arraigned Neagu, who admitted to the theft. The accused pledged that he would try and recover the phone or pay the victim €500. The court postponed the sitting for sentencing.

In a subsequent hearing, Magistrate MarseAnne Farrugia noted the Romanian's guilty plea and handed him a 16-month jail term suspended for four years. The court also ordered that if the phone is not retrieved, Neagu is to pay the Libyan €500 within the next two days.

Inspector Daryl Borg prosecuted, while Dr Cedric Mifsud appeared for the accused.