Two cleared of Iklin burglary

Two men who were accused of stealing 40 boxes of wholesale cigarettes, cash and jewellery with a total value of €71,000 after breaking into an Iklin family home have been cleared of all criminal liability.

Kevin Tabone, a 45-year old Santa Lucija resident and Johan Pace, 43, from Valletta, stood accused of aggravated theft and handling stolen property.

Pace was separately charged with recidivism.

The robbery took place in November 2015.

Subsequently, two anonymous letters were mailed to the police, saying that an eyewitness had spotted a white Mercedes Vito van near the residence on the day of the burglary.

The source spoke of two, suspicious-looking men, wearing dark clothes and hoodies, carrying boxes to the van.

Acting on that tip-off, investigators managed to trace the van, registered in the name of Tabone, one of the suspects.

Both suspects were tracked down and prosecuted.

Throughout the proceedings, the owner of the house, a cigarette wholesaler, testified that some 40 boxes of merchandise worth €50,000 had been stolen, together with €20,000 in cash.

The thieves had also made off with another €1000 in cash, belonging to his son, and jewellery belonging to his...