Unemployed couple admit to string of thefts

An unemployed couple were remanded in custody pending sentencing after they pleaded guilty to multiple charges of theft.

26-year-old Sandra Grixti and 31-year-old Christian Said, from Zurrieq and Fgura respectively, were arrested this morning after being caught taking a collection box from a Zebbug lotto booth.

The pair were accused of a being responsible for a recent string of thefts of donation boxes. 

The couple are accused of stealing five donation in total, from Zebbug, Hamrun, Fgura and Birkirkara.

They were also charged with stealing a handbag containing €2329 in Kalkara, stealing money from two cars in Zabbar and Qormi and with the commission of a criminal offence during the operative period of a probation order.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella noted that Said alone stood accused of breaching bail conditions and of holding an invalid ID card.

The two accused pleaded guilty to all charges and did not request bail. In view of the fact that Grixti has a drug problem, the Magistrate recommended she be held at Mount Carmel Hospital, pending sentencing.

Lawyers Noel Bianco and Silvio Brincat represented Grixti and Lawyer Yanika Bugeja appeared for Said.

Inspectors Joseph Mercieca, Roderick Agius and Josric Mifsud prosecuted.