Two Sicilian men were conditionally discharged after they admitted stealing various high quality fish from a fishing launch on 5 May at around 10.15pm.

One of the men, Leandro Ferrigno, 35, admitted before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli that it was not the first time that he stole fish and sold it. Each time his ‘catch’ was worth more than €233. He stole the fish from the launch Hannibal which berths at barrier Wharf in Valletta, instead of passing it on to the company he works for, Azzopardi Fisheries.

Meanwhile, his father Salvatore, 62, who is the captain of the trawler pleaded guilty to similar charges.

Both were discharged on condition that they do not relapse within two years.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino prosecuted while legal aid Martin Fenech assisted the accused.