16-year-old gang member pleads guilty to 12 hotel thefts

A 16-year-old St. Paul’s Bay resident was remanded in custody this afternoon after he was charged in connection with a string of thefts from several hotels in the St. Paul’s Bay area.

Omar Borg, who is a student, admitted to twelve counts of theft, committed between May and June this year, as well as attempted theft, handling stolen goods and conspiracy to commit theft.

Inspector Kurt Zahra told the court that Borg was part of “a criminal gang who preyed on tourists”. The gang’s takings reached the impressive total of €8,160 in cash and three mobile phones. He exhibited stills from CCTV footage from the hotels, showing the accused with another person at the times indicated in the charges.

Lawyer Abigail Bugeja, legal aid, told the court that the accused was the first of the group to be charged with these offences and had expressed remorse, but Inspector Zahra pointed out that the organised nature of the theft was “troubling.”

Magistrate  Anthony Vella also shared this sentiment, noting that there was a clear pattern to the thefts.

He remanded the accused in custody. Borg will be sentenced later this week.