Fisherman admits to shoplifting same shop three times in four months

A fisherman has been handed a suspended sentence after he admitted to shoplifting from the same supermarket on three separate occasions this year.

44-year-old Kamel Kasem, from Tunisia, appeared before magistrate Audrey Demicoli this morning, charged with simple theft, having stolen items from Pavi's Qormi outlet in August, October and November this year. The items stolen were returned, with the exception of €58.73 worth of goods, the court was told.

Kasem pleaded guilty to the charge.

In his submissions on punishment, Kasem's defence lawyer Gianluca Cappitta, argued that the value of the things stolen was minimal and that his client had no previous convictions. The Tunisian, who he said works on a fishing vessel, wanted to pay the remaining €58.73, he said.

In view of the man's admission, the court handed the shoplifter a five-month prison sentence, which it suspended for two months. It also ordered the accused to pay Pavi supermarket the outstanding balance.

Inspector Roderick Agius prosecuted.