Homeless man jailed after stealing cigarettes and €85 from three cars
One car owner caught the thief in the act in Siġġiewi
A homeless man with a history of theft has been jailed for 17 months after stealing cash and cigarettes from three cars parked in Siġġiewi and Birżebbuġa.
Massimiliano Nicolosi, 49, admitted stealing €5 and a packet of cigarettes from one car, €10 from another parked vehicle on Triq Salvu Corso in Siġġiewi on Wednesday and €70 from a vehicle in Birżebbuġa.
Police arrested him after the owner of the second vehicle emerged of his house, confronted the man, and took the €10 back.
Police inspector James Mallia explained that Nicolosi was already out on bail on similar charges.
He had gone to sign his bail book at Siġġiewi police station and was then walking around the locality stealing items from parked cars without causing any damages.
When he was arrested it emerged that there were six police reports filed in Siġġewi.
Mallia explained that Nicolosi, who was first arraigned in September, told the police that after being handed a suspended sentence he lost his job and found it difficult to get back on his feet.
He was then arraigned again in mid-October on similar charges and was then given bail. Nicolosi lived at a homeless shelter for sometime before moving from hotel to hotel and trying to figure out how to pay his stays.
Mallia explained that the accused denied being an alcoholic, however Nicolosi had a strong stench of alcohol coming from him as early as 7:50am following his arrest.
He then checked with other inspectors and found out that fellow police inspector Antonello Magri was searching for the accused over a theft from a parked vehicle in Birżebbuġa, when Nicolosi allegedly stole €70.
The man pleaded guilty to theft from three parked cars, living an idle and vagrant life and recidivism.
He was also accused of committing an offence during the operative period of a suspended sentence.
The court explained that if he intends to confirm his admission, the seven months imprisonment handed in the previous judgement would come into effect.
It also explained that he was facing up to two years imprisonment in connection with the latest thefts, and given that he was deemed a recidivist it could not mete out a sentence which is towards the minimum allowed at law.
The man confirmed his admission. In her submissions, legal aid lawyer Maria Karlsson highlighted that this was a “social case” and the man stole to sustain himself after losing his job.
The court jailed Nicolosi for 17 months and ordered him to refund the victims €75. Magistrate Charmaine Galea presided over the court. Police inspectors James Mallia and Antonello Magri prosecuted. Legal aid lawyer Maria Karlsson appeared for the accused.