Two admit to theft from car

Two opportunistic thieves who stole a tablet computer from a parked car have pleaded guilty to theft charges.

Miriam Azzopardi from St. Paul’s Bay and Rosette Borg of Birzebbugia, both 40 years old, were arraigned before Magistrate Neville Camilleri this afternoon, accused of stealing the Samsung tablet and an undisclosed amount of cash from a parked Peugeot in Santa Venera.

Inspectors Robert Vella and Matthew Galea presented the court with a set of 19 still images of the crime, which was captured on CCTV.

The two women, who told the court that they were unemployed, both pleaded guilty. Magistrate Camilleri warned them that they could face a prison sentence, but the accused did not change their plea. 

The women had cooperated with the police to varying degrees, said the prosecution in its submissions on punishment. The women had no prior convictions.

The court took into consideration the nature of the crime and the early admission, as well as the defence and prosecution’s submissions.

Finding the two women guilty as charged the court condemned the pair to 18 months suspended for three years, explaining that they would go to prison if they committed another offence.  “The choice is yours, be careful,” warned the court.

Lawyers Edward Gatt and Ishmael Psaila appeared for Azzopardi.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Borg.