Serbian reprimanded, convicted of stealing shoes

A 45-year-old Serbian man was this morning conditionally discharged for two years after pleading guilty to stealing a pair of shoes from Zara in Sliema.

The incident occurred on Saturday when the accused, Kojic Milorad, 45, of Serbia, was caught stealing the shoes valued at €39.95 from Zara in Triq ix-Xatt, Sliema. The court heard how the accused put the shoes in a black of laptop bag, and when he was walking out, the alarm went off.

Security officer Christian Bugeja then stopped Milorad and asked him to open his bag. Inside, the security officer found the stolen pair of shoes. Police were subsequently called in and apprehended the man before taking him to the Sliema police station.

Standing in court this morning, Milorad told the court that he has been in Malta for 20 years and that during his time in Malta, he never committed any crime. Moreover, he promised that he would not do it again.

In his decree, Magistrate Francesco Depasquale warned the accused that irrespective of one’s financial problems, stealing is never a solution and that the court may help him.

The court also noted that the man cooperated with the police, his clean criminal record, and that he returned all the items to the shop. Magistrate Depasquale conditionally discharged the accused for two years.

Inspector Jason Francis Sultana prosecuted while Lawyer Patrick Valentino was legal aid.