A 16-year-old boy today got off with two-and-a-half years’ probation and a stern warning from Magistrate Gabriella Vella, after he admitted to stealing from a shop in Qormi.

The boy, who was arrested in his mother’s Birkirkara home, meekly said he is supposed to be starting school on Monday when asked what his present occupation is by the court.

The boy filed a guilty plea and was told by the magistrate that his probation officer will be filing progress reports every six months.

The magistrate warned the boy that failure to abide by the terms of his probation could land him between eight months and four years in prison.

“Do not end up in prison, you do not need to,” the magistrate told the boy.

Inspector John Spiteri prosecuted and lawyer Martha Mifsud appeared for the boy.