Three men have been cleared of being in possession of tools use to pick locks, after a magistrate ruled that insufficient evidence had been presented to support the charges against them.

Alfred Bugeja, known as il-Porporina, 47, of Valletta, Stacy Chircop, 34, of Ta’ Xbiex and Paul Spagnol, 38, of San Gwann were acquitted of the unjustified possession of the tools that included a lever, screwdrivers and gloves. The charge alleged that the offence had been committed on 25 November 2005.

Spagnol, however, was fined Lm1,000 and imprisoned for 15 days after presiding magistrate Silvio Meli declared him guilty of driving a motorcycle recklessly and without a licence or insurance cover.

Inspectors Carmelo Bartolo and Christopher Pullicino prosecuted, while Dr Franco Debono appeared for the accused.