Montekristo maintenance chief admits to stealing employer's equipment

The former head of maintenance at Montekristo Estates has been handed a suspended sentence this morning after he admitted to stealing music and lighting equipment from his employer.

31-year-old Riccardo Lanzon was arraigned under arrest before magistrate Neville Camilleri charged with stealing various pieces of equipment earlier this month.

Sources explained that Lanzon was caught yesterday with stolen music and lighting equipment, worth over €7,000, stashed in his van. He had already sold two amplifiers.

Lawyer Jean Paul Sammut, appearing in parte civile for Lanzon’s employers, Charles and Paul Polidano, told the court that all the stolen items bar the amplifiers had been returned. The items which remained unrecovered were worth €800, he said.

Lanzon pleaded guilty, reiterating his plea after the magistrate warned him that he could face jail if he did so.

Both prosecution and defence requested a non-custodial sentence.

In view of this recommendation and taking into account his early admission, the court handed down a sentence of two years imprisonment, suspended for four. Lanzon was given two months to pay his former employers the €800.