Man jailed three years after cash and biskuttini theft
He was ordered to pay €5,620 to the owners of the shop within six months
A 32-year-old Valletta man was jailed for three years over theft from a shop in Kirkop.
Josef Seychell was accused of stealing cash, a decoder, and biscuits (biskuttini) from the shop on February 8, 2025. He was also charged with trying to steal money by withdrawing it from a BOV ATM using someone’s bank card, but the transaction did not go through.
The man was also charged with breaching a set of bail conditions and recidivism.
When he was arraigned in February of last year, he denied the charges. He changed his plea on March 4, 2026.
In its considerations, the court took into account that at the time of the theft, the man was overcome by his drug addiction. It also took into consideration that the man had been previously convicted for theft, among other convictions.
In its final submissions, the prosecution requested the court to jail the man for three years. It noted that the man was a repeat offender, but had regretted his actions.
It also requested that a treatment order be imposed on Seychell and that he be ordered to compensate his victims.
The court jailed Seychell for three years and imposed a three-year restraining order.
He was ordered to pay €5,620 to the owners of the shop within six months.
A three-year restraining order was issued in favour of the victims.
He was also ordered to pay €797.50 in court expenses.
Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia presided over the case.
AG lawyer Clive Aquilina prosecuted, assisted by police inspector Doriette Cuschieri.