Two brothers have been handed a suspended sentence and were fined €500 each after they admitted to stealing two bells and other objects from a church in Ghaxaq.

The men were charged with stealing two old bells and some copper cables from the bell tower of the Christ the Redeemer (Santu Kristu) church in Valletta Road, Ghaxaq. The value of the stolen items exceeds €2,330. They were also accused of damaging cultural property and defacing a monument. The men are not being named because they were still minors when the crime was committed in February 2013. 

Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo considered their early guilty plea, and the fact that they had cooperated with the police, when deciding on punishment. She handed down a 15-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. The youths were also fined €500 each and ordered to pay the sum within the period of 25 months.

Inspector Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia appeared for the brothers. 

 

Photo: kappellimaltin.com