Man pleads guilty to theft from fast food outlet

Ray Scicluna, 54, of Valletta, pleaded guilty to charges of theft from McDonald's outlet in Valletta.

Inspector Godwin Scerri recounted how following the report of an 11-year-old girl the police investigated the CCTV footage of the establishment.

The girl, who is in Malta on an exchange programme, told the police her handbag was stolen.

The accused, who is unemployed and well known with the police over thefts from the McDonald's and Burger King outlets, was identified from the video footage and was arrested moments later.

The prosecution also informed the court that Scicluna is a drug addict and has been previously charged with stealing from various restaurants in Valletta.

The contents of the handbag amounted to €460, however the accused claimed he had lost the items he stole.

Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo agreed that a prison term was needed but pleaded that the accused is kept at the Forensic Unit so he could undergo a rehabilitation programme.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Scibberas remanded the accused in custody. He will be again arraigned on Wednesday for sentencing.