Trio admit to stealing money from automated car wash service

Three people were convicted of aggravated theft after they admitted to stealing money from an automated car wash service at Falzon Petrol Station in Żebbuġ.

The incident took place on 4 August at 2am. Pier Buttigieg, 43, from Birkirkara, Matthew John Migneco, 43, from Sliema and Marisa Osthus, 48, from Sliema, were jointly accused of committing aggravated theft and voluntarily causing damage to third-party property valued somewhere between €250 and €2,500. All three pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, presiding over the case, heard how the trio had committed the theft together while in the same vehicle.

Prosecuting, Inspector Kylie Borg described how none of the accused had chosen to consult a lawyer before providing their statement to the police.

Legal aid Leontine Calleja, representing Buttigieg, spoke of how her client had a known drug problem and requested that he get assistance should he be imprisoned.

Lawyer Stephen Tonna Lowell, on behalf of Migneco, argued in favour of Migneco’s character, pointing out that he had cooperated with the police in full, and therefore asked for the court to mete out a probationary sentence. The prosecution objected to this on the grounds that they believe he is suffering from addiction.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli, representing Osthus, also spoke of her client’s character, stressing that she is a good mother, as can be confirmed by her children. She also pointed out that Osthus’s role in the crime was passive, because despite being present in the car, she did not carry out the act of theft or damage. Dalli requested a probation order be issued in order to help her client keep away from certain circles of people.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera, dished out penalties for all three of the accused. In view of Buttigieg’s role in the incident, the fact that he had the most checkered criminal record and that he is known to be suffering from drug addiction, he was sentenced to a year in prison, with the courts requesting that he be given special assistance to rehabilitate himself.

Osthus and Migneco were sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, a probation order lasting two years, and both will be subject to drug tests every six months. The courts warned the pair that they would need to keep regular contact with their probation officer.

All three of the accused were each ordered to pay €350 in compensation and €220 in damages.