Somali jailed for stealing from church donations box

Faid Said Hirsi, 61, of Somalia, was today sentenced to 20 months behind bars after being found guilty of stealing from a church donation box.

The accused, who lives at the Marsa Open Centre, stood charged with stealing cash from San Gorg Preca church in Blata l-Bajda, of handling stolen property, and of relapsing.

Prosecuting inspector Robert Vella told the court that the incident had occurred on 26 February at around 4.45 pm, when a group of five Somali men stole cash from inside a donation box from the church in Blata l-Bajda.

Police had not found any money in the possession of the accused but nearby CCTV cameras had caught the man leaving the church.

One of his partners in crime, a fellow Somali, was found to be in possession of €400. He was later handed a two-year sentence suspended for four years.

Three of the five men who participated in the robbery are still on the run.

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted, while Martin Fenech was legal aid.