A man was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years after being found guilty of stealing coins, worth over €2,329.37, from a Luqa residence.

He was meanwhile acquitted of receiving stolen objects.

William Agius, 29, committed the theft on 28 February 2010 at around 1.30pm when one of the house owners was at the residence. He explained that his parents were out when he heard the house door slam and the dogs barking. Suspecting the presence of an intruder, he left the house from a door that leads to the garden and went to his cousin to let him know about his suspicion. On returning to the house, they saw a man holding a white bed sheet or a plastic bag in the aperture that leads from the living room to the garden.

The young man identified the robber in an identification parade and the plastic bag containing the coins and some documents was later found at Agius’ residence.

It also transpired that William Agius’ vehicle was used in the robbery however he argued that this had been lent to Roderick Debono, his girlfriend’s brother, for some time.

Mr Debono too was investigated as witnesses had seen three people leaving the residence carrying a bulky white object. While Mr Debono looks a lot like Agius, he could not be found guilty as his photo was not part of the identification parade.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit presided over the court. Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Agius.