[WATCH] Jail for two men charged with armed robbery

Men charged with robbery admit guilt in court

Two men apprehended by the police on Sunday were jailed after they admitted to armed robbery in court.

The men, both aged 28, filed a guilty plea when they appeared in front of Magistrate Neville Camilleri on Tuesday.

Inspector Fabian Fleri and Lydon Zammit accused Birkirkara resident Marin Stoyanov Minev from Bulgaria with robbing a massage parlour and a betting shop in San Gwann at gunpoint last Sunday.

The charge of theft was aggravated by violence, means and value. He was also accused of holding people against their will, carrying a weapon during the commission of a crime and relapsing.

Assisted by an interpreter, the accused stood, hands in pocket, as the registrar asked him his details. Minev is a driver.

When the court asked the accused what he was pleading, Minev replied after a brief pause that he was guilty.

The magistrate warned him that he could be sent to prison if he confirmed his plea. Minev confirmed his guilty plea, nonetheless.

In his submissions on punishment, Inspector Fleri pointed out that the accused had committed armed robberies and had worked with another person to do so. He asked for an effective prison sentence.

Lawyers Shazoo Ghaznavi and Charlon Gouder, defence counsel, argued that the accused had admitted at the first opportunity and had cooperated with the police. The other offences were simply a means to an end.

His previous convictions dealt with crimes committed in Bulgaria and had occurred many years ago, submitted the lawyers.

The court found Minev guilty and jailed him for three years and imposed a fine of €233.

Minev’s co-conspirator, Ivan Georgiev Gynrov from Bulgaria, was accused of conspiracy to commit a crime, attempted theft aggravated by violence, means, value and time.

He was also accused of having, on 20 August, stolen cash from the Mambo Beach Club in Armier and relapsing.

Gynrov pleaded guilty to the charges.

In his submissions on punishment, Inspector Fleri highlighted that the theft was aggravated and that he was planning an armed robbery with the other man. He had previous convictions in Bulgaria, said the inspector, but admitted at an early stage.

Gynrov was jailed for two years.

Lawyer Leontine Calleja appeared as legal aid for Gynrov.