This was start of career in crime, not youth folly, court notes

A 22-year-old who, the court felt, was more likely to be embarking on a criminal career than displaying the folly of youth, has been jailed for two years for stealing over €5,000.

The man was arrested after he was caught on CCTV cameras at a bar in St Julians making off with €973 in cash and €1,381 worth of cigarettes. His arrest led to the police connecting him to a string of other thefts.

Even before that, Frey Toshboev, from Uzbekistan, also known as Farruh, had been investigated on other similar charges (for which he was not prosecuted) and was out on police bail.

In fact, as he was known to the police, it made it all the more easy for them to identify him on the CCTV footage.

During interrogation, he admitted to other thefts the police were still investigating. The first one was carried out on September 23 and the last being recorded on January 5.

After all the charges were read out in court, it transpired that he stole €1,100 from Ye Olde Keg in Paceville, €380 in cash and €140 worth of cigarettes from Heaven in Paceville, €1,238 in cash from Teksen Turkish restaurant in Msida, €400 from Luxol Club in St Andrew's and Vodafone top-up vouchers from Aroma Confectionery in San Ġwann.

Mr Toshboev also forged his passport and breached the conditions of the police bail he was granted.

Head hanging low while sitting in the dock, he stood up sluggishly to answer to the charges and admitted only to the theft but not to handling stolen property over which he was also charged.

In submissions on punishment, legal aid Patrick Valentino said his client had a clean police record, he fully cooperated with the police and helped them solve a number of crimes.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani asked Dr Valentino whether any of the money could be paid back and the prosecution responded that the accused only had €5 in his possession.

Police Inspector Jeffery Cilia said he feels that the crime merits a prison term, adding that a lengthy period behind bars would not be ideal as the accused was already a burden on society and keeping him in prison would make it even worse.

The prosecuting officer said Mr Toshboev will be deported once he served his time.

Police Inspector Raymond Cassar also prosecuted.