A young man was conditionally discharged for three years yesterday, after he pleaded guilty to theft of cigarettes from a vending machine, damaging it in the process.

Juanito Jimenez, 18, from Ħamrun admitted to stealing a considerable amount of cigarettes from a vending machine, and to damaging the outer shutter of the machine in the process. Lawyer José Herrera, who appeared for the accused, asked the court to take into consideration the fact that his client had cooperated with the police.

The young man was given a conditional discharge, with the condition of staying out of trouble for three years, by presiding Magistrate Audrey Demicoli.