Criminal handyman admits to stealing client's jewellery

A handyman with at least one prior criminal conviction has been granted bail after he admitted to stealing €15,000 worth of jewellery from a client.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli heard how the accused, 47 year-old Joseph Grech from Sliema, had been engaged to do perform interior decorating work at a house in Sliema last October. He was summoned to the police station for questioning after the authorities had received reports that he was selling stolen jewellery.

Grech had a previous conviction for a similar offence in 2013 and had also been charged with vandalising a neighbour’s house in November 2014.

Police Inspectors Carlos Cordina and Jason Francis Sultana charged him with theft aggravated by amount, receiving and selling stolen goods and relapsing. Grech pleaded guilty to all charges.

The court granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 and, on the request of defence lawyer Franco Debono, appointed a probation officer to compile a pre-sentencing report.