Italian denies stealing copper from scrapyard

An Italian subcontractor was yesterday charged with stealing copper and other items from a scrapyard.

Antonio Moscato, 29, from Gela, was arraigned before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras and accused of aggravated theft to the detriment of Metalco Ltd, and of handling stolen goods.

Inspector Chantelle Casha, prosecuting, said the company had called in the police after its CCTV cameras had captured a person entering its premises and leaving with some items.

The accused was arrested after the scrapyard owner recognised the van used during the theft as belonging to a company that had a garage nearby. The man has spotted the same vehicle going into a garage belonging to Jac Steel Ltd in Marsa and called the police.

Officers found sacks full of scrap copper inside the van. These were later confirmed as belonging to Metalco. The stolen metal around €4,000.

Moscato is a subcontractor of Jac Steel Ltd, which is owned by his father, the court heard.

The Italian man denied the charges levelled against him.

The court granted bail against a deposit of €700 and a personal guarantee of €4,300. He was also ordered to surrender his ID card, not leave Malta and not to approach any witnesses.

Etienne Calleja was counsel for the accused. was worth legal