A construction worker who admitted to stealing clothes in court on Tuesday was conditionally discharged after apologising and promising not to commit any more crimes.

“Thank you very much, your honour,” said Stefan Solomon Niculescu, a 25-year-old Romanian national, as the arraignment came to an end on Tuesday. 

The man, who has been living in Malta for the past 12 years, stole some €160 worth of clothes from a Birkirkara store early on Monday afternoon.

He was escorted to court under arrest on Tuesday, pleading guilty to the solitary theft charge. 

“Do you have a place to live?” Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech asked the man, standing before her in shorts and t-shirt. 

“Yes,” he replied. 

“It was something stupid… crazy… I’m really sorry,” the accused tried to explain.

In light of his guilty plea, the court conditionally discharged him for one year, warning him not to commit any crimes in future.

“Do you promise?” asked the court, pointing out that minor offences usually snowball into more serious crimes.

“Yes… I understand,” he said. 

The court warned him that if he commits another crime or has no means to earn a living, the principal immigration officer could order his removal, urging him the man to seek lawful employment. 

Although it was not clear whether the man is working legally, the court issued a warning.

“Don’t create problems for yourself. Protect yourself… Don’t let employers exploit you,” said the magistrate, explaining that the worker stood to benefit by having a lawfully registered job.

Workplace incidents were a frequent occurrence, the magistrate said.

“Don’t let a building be stained with your blood,” she said.

Inspector Andrew Agius prosecuted. Lawyer Daniel Attard was defence counsel.