Thief handed suspended sentence

William Agius, the man identified by a robbery victim and in whose house police officers found the stolen items, was handed a two-year suspended jail term after being found guilty of a Luqa robbery four years ago.

Prosecuting inspector Frans Micallef explained how 30-year old William Agius, broke into an apartment in Luqa from which he stole a collection of old coins and medals which belongings were later seized by the police from his residence.

In the afternoon of 28 February 2010, William Bondin, heard the front door of his residence being banged shut. His family's dogs started barking. Bondin and his cousin went to investigate the commotion when they saw a man in the living room carrying a white bag. The thief looked at the two men and then ran away. During an identification parade held at the police headquarters, Bondin identified the accused William Agius as the man in his living room.

Samuel Cachia, who lives next to the victim took the witness stand and explained he had seen three men leaving Bondin's residence. One of the men was carrying a large white bag. The three thieves were using a white Kia Mentor which belonged to the accused.

The police searched the residence of the accused where they found a white bag containing the stolen coins and medals. However Agius denied being involved in the case and claimed he had lent the car to his girlfriend's brother Roderick Debono.

Agius's alibi was that on the fateful day he was with his girlfriend at his mother's house. This was confirmed by Emanuela Agius who testified her son and his children always spent Sundays at her house.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit noted that Debono and Agius look similar to each other, yet the prosecution failed to include Debono in the identification parade. Furthermore no evidence was brought forward to prove it was Debono and not Agius who committed the theft.

Magistrate Zammit found William Agius guilty of robbery and handed him an eight month jail term suspended for two years.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused.