A man who was arrested less than 24 hours after theft of airsoft weapons, ammunition and related equipment from a Fgura warehouse was placed under probation after pleading guilty on Tuesday. 

The police said the haul, worth thousands of euro, took place on Saturday-Sunday night.

Brandon Savona from Tarxien was arrested shortly after and arraigned on Tuesday. He admitted to the charges, which included  wilful damage to third-party property and handling stolen property.

Defence lawyer Lennox Vella said this was folly committed on the accused's 21st birthday, and his first brush with the law.

He definitely needed guidance but the circumstances of the case did not call for jail, argued the lawyer, pointing out further that the accused was also willing to cover damages suffered by the victim.

The court was told that those damages amounted to €70.

In light of his early guilty plea and after hearing submissions by both parties the court, presided over by magistrate Charmaine Galea, placed the youth under a three-year term of probation.

“You’re still young,” observed the court, explaining that the probation officer would guide him.

“You must do whatever the officer tells you,” warned the magistrate, adding that if the youth were to go astray he would face the prospects of jail.

The court also ordered the accused to reimburse the victim the sum of €70 in damages within seven days and to cover the costs of the magisterial inquiry.

Inspectors Christina Delia and Sarah K. Zerafa prosecuted.