Cleared of stealing wife's documents

A man was yesterday cleared of stealing his estranged wife's documents from his father-in-law's house when a magistrate ruled that the charge brought against him had not been proven.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera cleared Mario Pisani, 37, of Gudja of stealing a file containing his wife's pay slips and receipts on May 14, 2004.

The magistrate heard Mr Pisani's wife Carmen explain that he had been asking her for the documents as separation proceedings were ongoing.

She kept the documents in the apartment of her father, Joseph Mangion, who lived in the block of flats where they (the Pisanis) lived.

On evaluating the evidence the magistrate concluded that the prosecution had not proven that the documents found in Mr Pisani's possession had been taken in an illegal manner and cleared him of all charges.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted.