A French student currently in Malta on a work placement was today conditionally discharged after pleading guilty to stealing two laptops, a watch and €60 in cash from the family that was hosting him.

Guillaume Vincent, 18, stole the items on Saturday from the house in Santa Venera where he was living with a host family.

He also pleaded guilty to being caught in possession of a small piece of cannabis resin.
The court heard how the boy contacted his parents who flew to Malta on the next available flight. During the arraignment, they paid €2,260 which was the value of the items he stole and which he had sold to the first person he came across.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit conditionally discharged him for three months.
Police Inspectors Jason Sultana and Edel Mary Camilleri prosecuted while lawyer Franco Galea appeared for the accused.