Man whose finger prints were found on stolen items pleads not guilty to three thefts

A man whose finger print implicated him in a string of thefts committed in a number of localities around the island during February and March of this year yesterday pleaded not guilty to theft charges.

The accused, Fabian Vella, is 35 years old and is a resident of Paola.

The first of the offences occurred on 2 February 2017 at the Boy’s Museum in Hal-Tarxien after a donation box containing €51 was stolen from the premises.

The court, which was presided over by Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, then heard how an elderly woman was left slightly injured when a theft was committed at her residence in Paolo on 3 March 2017. The accused had stolen €20 after he was able to enter her home under the false pretence that he was there to fix a pipe.

On 20 March the accused allegedly committed a theft from a residence in Qormi, and stole a wallet which contained €300. The court heard how the accused had entered into the victim’s residence for a drink as a family friend, and when he had left, the victim realised that her wallet was missing.

The prosecution, led by Inspec- tor Chantelle Casha, told the court that the relevant authorities were able to trace the accused through finger prints left at the Museum and on the wallet.

Defence lawyer George Anton Buttigieg told the court that the thefts were a result of Mr Vella’s re-emerging drug problem following the death of his mother, and that should the accused remain in custody he would risk losing his job.

The court, denied his request for bail for breaching a previous probation order and due to the accused’s theft from a religious institution.