Petrol station thief placed on probation after returning stolen cash

21-year-old Patrick Pullicino, from Xgħajra, was accused of stealing cash from a fuel station’s cash collection machines on Sunday night

A 21-year-old who admitted to stealing €950 from car wash machines at a Fgura petrol station has been handed a probation order this morning.

Patrick Pullicino, from Xgħajra, was arraigned before Magistrate Charmaine Galea this morning, accused of stealing cash from the fuel station’s cash collection machines on Sunday night.

Pullicino pleaded guilty to the charges.

Challenged by lawyer Franco Debono, prosecuting inspector Spiridione Zammit conceded that Pullicino had cooperated, going so far as to also hand over the balaclava and clothes he had been wearing on the night of the theft.

Magistrate Galea handed a three-year probation order to the accused, pointing out that he faced a potential four-year prison term. In handing down judgment, the court took into account the fact that the money stolen had all been returned and the accused had cooperated fully with the police investigations.

“The court is willing to give you a chance,” said the magistrate, warning him that failure to comply with the instructions of his probation officer or committing another crime in the next three years would mean he would be sent to jail.