A man was placed on probation for three years and fined Lm50 after he admitted stealing four wheels and a gear knob, as well as breaching the terms of a previous probation order.

British-born Gary Wingfield, aged 24, from St Paul’s Bay, admitted stealing four wheels and a gear knob worth Lm175, from an Austin Mini on 1 March 2002 in St Paul’s Bay.

Wingfield was caught after the owner of the mini, Joachim Martin, went to the police station to say that he thought he had seen on another car the wheels he had reported stolen at an earlier date. The police found the car in question and took it to the police station.

Upon finding his car missing, Wingfield went to the police and was immediately interrogated about the theft. He admitted stealing the wheels and eventually also admitted the theft of the gear knob.

In the light of this admission the court, presided over by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, placed Wingfield on probation for three years, in an attempt to keep him away from criminal activity.

Since he was also declared guilty of breaching the terms of a previous probation order, the magistrate fined Wingfield Lm50, to be paid in monthly instalments of Lm10.

Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.