A 24 year-old Iranian man has been jailed for 4 years after admitting to having used stolen cheques to buy €32,000 worth of electronics.

Mohammed Kaveh Tamasebi Ghareh Shiran, a student from Iran told the court that he was “now homeless” during his arraignment on 3 counts of theft and 6 of fraud. He targeted several branches of the same chain of electronics outlets between 27 February and 13 March.

Inspector Wayne Camilleri told the court that he had been informed of the theft of two iPhones worth some €3000 from a Pieta shop and that a chequebook had been stolen from an individual. This chequebook was being used in various outlets to buy Apple branded mobile phones and laptops. It transpired that some €32,000 of items were bought using the stolen cheques.

A third party had identified the accused as running off with a bag he had stolen from an elderly lady. He was arrested the same day.

Shiran pleaded guilty to the charges. Lawyer Christopher Chircop, appearing as legal aid to the accused, asked the court to bear in mind the man’s cooperation with the police when sentencing him.

The court explained that the man was facing between three years and nine years in prison for the theft. “I did something wrong. I don’t want to lie,” replied the softly spoken accused. He was given ample time to reflect on his guilty plea and retract it if he wished, but insisted on pleading guilty.

The court, having seen the charges, the evidence and heard submissions, noting that the accused had cooperated with the police and had filed an early guilty plea, sentenced him to four years imprisonment.

The man gave notice of appeal.