Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546572
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWS Man admits stealing television through gap in St Paul's Bay restaurant canopy A 33-year-old Italian national has pleaded guilty to the aggra- vated theft of a television from a St Paul's Bay establishment, which he stole by reaching through a gap in the plastic can- opy. Massimo Demurtas appeared in court on Tuesday facing charges of aggravated theft of a television which does not exceed the amount of €2,329, with the offence aggravated by time and value. The court heard that the theft occurred in the early hours on 10 September, between 2:55am and 3:00am. CCTV footage captured Demurtas slipping his hands through a gap in the res- taurant's closed front porch, which was enclosed by a plastic canopy, and pulling on the wires to release the television. The owners of the establish- ment reported the break-in to the police later that morning and uploaded the CCTV footage to social media. Following an anonymous tip-off, investigators received information identifying the suspect, including his mobile number, work-place, and resi- dential address. Officers located Demurtas at his residence, where he was cau- tioned and placed under arrest. During his arraignment, the defence did not contest the va- lidity of the arrest, and Demur- tas registered an admission to the charges. The court formally warned him of the legal conse- quences of a guilty plea. The prosecution noted that given the nature of the theft, a four-year suspended prison sentence would be appropri- ate, provided the victim is fully compensated for the stolen tel- evision. The defence agreed with the prosecution's proposal. The court sentenced Demur- tas to an 18-month prison term, suspended for three years on condition that he does not com- mit another crime within that time-frame. Magistrate Antoine Agius Bon- nici also ordered the accused to fully compensate the victim for the stolen television, its instal- lation costs, and any physical damage caused to the establish- ment during the theft. AG lawyer Gabriel Abela pros- ecuted, together with Inspec- tors Bradley Grima and Warren Galea. Lawyer Sarah Ciliberti apeared for the defence as legal aid. KAYLYN LINWOOD klinwood@mediatoday.com.mt