A 46-year-old man from Luqa, who works at the St Vincent de Paul home for the elderly and who, the court heard, is a kleptomaniac, yesterday admitted stealing various items from his workplace in August 2006 and the preceding months.

Police Inspector Raymond Cassar told a court, presided over by magistrate Miriam Hayman, that Mario Coreschi admitted to police that he had fallen into the habit of taking a carton of milk, washing powder and foodstuffs from the home on a daily basis. The inspector also said that, following a search at the man’s home, the police found several other items including towels and bed sheets.

Defence lawyers Jose Herrera and Veronique Dalli told magistrate Hayman that their client suffers from a mental condition known as kleptomania – stealing whatever he can, whenever he can. They said that their client needed help to overcome this condition.

The case was deferred for judgement.

Police Inspector Raymond Cassar prosecuted while Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Veronique Dalli appeared for the accused.