Stolen car taken for wash at owner's firm

A man who stole a rental car from a tourist went to get the vehicle washed only to realise that the car-wash company owned the car, a court heard yesterday.

Twenty-two-year-old David Julius Carmelino Sciberras, a friend who had been picked up by the man and accompanied him to wash the car, was cleared of complicity in stealing the car.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that he was an accomplice in the theft of the car from Agius Car Hire in Qawra in September 2004.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca had testified that the car was found in Qawra, some streets away from where it was stolen.

When he arrived on site he was told by the son of the owner that Mr Sciberras had arrived on their premises together with the driver of the stolen car in order to have the car washed.

Mr Sciberras and the driver of the stolen vehicle had not realised that the car was actually owned by Agius Car Hire.

On realising their mistake they left the scene and were promptly arrested by the police, the inspector said.

Mr Sciberras was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted and lawyer Stefano Filletti appeared for the defendant.