Romanian convicted of theft

Romanian national Dan Petrila was handed a conditional discharge after admitting to stealing a boat trailer and damaging private property.

Inspector Roberto Said Sarreo explained the 38-year old Romanian lives in M’Scala and works in a boat repairs. On the night between the 14 and 15 April this year, the accused stole a boat trailer from outside his residence and proceeded to make alterations to it.

However he was apprehended by the police. “He fully collaborated with the investigators, returned the stolen trailer and pledged to pay the expenses needed to return it to its original state”, the inspector said. The cost to return the trailer to its original state amounts to €234. The trailer belonged to a certain Andrew Galea.

Defence lawyer Roberto Montalto said that Petrila believed the trailer had been abandoned as it had been standing outside his house for a very long time. “He chose to ignore the fact that it could very well belong to someone. However this was a one-time case, as can be seen from the accused’s clean police record”, Dr Montalto said.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli handed Petrila a two-year conditional discharged and ordered that he pays the sum of €234 to the victim, within a month.

Inspector Roberto Said Sarreo prosecuted while lawyer Roberto Montalo appeared for the accused.