Homeless man jailed for alcohol theft from Qormi shop after changing plea

One of two men charged with stealing alcohol from a shop in Qormi last month has been jailed after changing his plea to one of guilt.

30-year-old Andre Borg had been arrested in connection with the theft of alcohol from a Qormi cash and carry on 14 December.

Inspector Kylie Borg arraigned Andre Borg on 28 December after he was eventually traced by the police and arrested.

Borg's alleged accomplice, 25-year-old Clayton Fenech, is already undergoing separate proceedings relating to the theft.

In a sitting on 23 December the court had heard the police inspector recount how she had immediately recognised Fenech from CCTV footage of the theft, in which over €400 worth of alcohol was stolen.  

During their respective hearings, both Borg and Fenech denied the charges of aggravated theft, handling stolen goods, breaching a probation order and recidivism and informed the court that they were homeless.

This morning, before magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, Borg recanted his previous denial and filed an admission. He was jailed for seven months.