A man from Tarxien, identified as Robert Borg, has been sentenced to jail for his role in a series of thefts from a toy manufacturing factory that occurred four years ago. The 50-year-old man, who displayed a clear reluctance to quit his drug habit, was caught on CCTV footage along with another suspect entering the factory premises on various occasions between June and July 2019. The thieves targeted toys that were stacked in a box truck, ready for delivery the following morning.

The toy manufacturing company conducted two daily deliveries to local businesses, one at 6 am and the other at 4 pm. Suspicions arose when discrepancies were noticed between a consignment delivered on June 2 and the items listed in the delivery note. The director of the company reviewed the CCTV footage from the factory’s outer yard and confirmed their suspicions.

The footage revealed that two individuals arrived at the factory in a red Maruti 800 car and parked near one of the company trucks. One of the men entered the truck through a slit in the canvas covering, while his accomplice waited outside to receive the stolen boxes. The director later identified Robert Borg as the individual who entered the truck. The police were provided with a copy of the footage as evidence.

Further investigations by the company revealed that the canvas covering of the truck had been ripped, causing damages amounting to €2950 plus VAT. Similar incidents followed, always taking place between 4 pm and 8 pm. Factory workers discovered missing boxes during their break at 6 pm, and on one occasion, merchandise disappeared from the production line. Concerned about the repeated thefts, the company requested police surveillance at the factory.

On July 7, the police were keeping a watchful eye on the premises, but the thieves struck again just minutes after the officers left. However, the following day, the police set up a watch once more and managed to catch the two suspects in the act. Both suspects were prosecuted for aggravated theft, including the final failed attempt, as well as for causing wilful damage to third-party property. Borg’s accomplice had previously been found guilty and received a 3-year probation order.

In court, Magistrate Rachel Montebello examined the evidence closely, including the CCTV footage. The court was able to identify Borg as the suspect who used a sharp instrument to rip the canvas covering of the truck, widened the slit, and entered the vehicle to hand out boxes to his accomplice. Borg was also identified as the individual who stole two boxes of ‘Lucky Dip’ merchandise on June 27. The police officers who caught the suspects red-handed also confirmed Borg’s involvement. Additionally, Borg admitted in his police statement that he went to the factory with his friend to collect toy parts, bags, and boxes left outside in the yard. He would then assemble the parts and sell the finished products to third parties.

The court determined that Borg’s involvement could be proven in four of the thefts and the last failed attempt. The total value of the thefts he was linked to amounted to €2824. However, the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence of his involvement in four other thefts. The charge of recidivism was not proven due to Borg’s previous conviction resulting in a conditional discharge. Although his criminal record indicated other convictions, authenticated copies of those judgments were not presented as evidence.

Nevertheless, the court took Borg’s unruly record into consideration when sentencing him. The court observed that Borg was deeply gripped by a drug addiction that he seemingly lacked the will to overcome. His non-compliance with a temporary supervision order further showcased his inability to abide by the terms set by the court. In fact, his probation officer testified that he was not fit for supervision, leading to the revocation of the order. Despite being offered assistance while detained at the Corradino Correctional Facility, Borg showed no interest in the tailored care plan designed to address his needs. He even stated that he would only follow the plan to secure bail. Moreover, after being granted bail, he failed to maintain contact with his probation officer or Caritas Outreach officials to prepare for rehabilitation.

Given these circumstances, the court had no choice but to impose an effective prison sentence. The court emphasized that drugs had completely taken over Borg’s life and that he lacked the motivation to address the problem. Magistrate Montebello concluded that until Borg took action to address his addiction, he could not be trusted in society. Consequently, Borg was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and placed under a 4-year treatment order. He was also ordered to reimburse the company €5491 within eight months and cover €399 in court expert expenses.

Inspector Roderick Attard handled the prosecution of the case.