A St Paul’s Bay man was yesterday given a three-year conditional discharge after pleading guilty to defrauding a supermarket out of Lm500.

Roderick Sciberras, 30, pleaded guilty to stealing an HSBC chequebook on 2 May. He also admitted falsifying the owner’s signature and knowingly making use of the document. He also pleaded guilty to defrauding J.J Supermarkets out of Lm500 and of relapsing in view of previous convictions.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Anthony Vella conditionally discharged him for three years and ordered him to pay back the Lm500 to the injured parties.

Police Inspector Angelo Gafà prosecuted while Dr Chris Cardona appeared for the accused.