Nicole Vassallo had lived with the victim Ryan Grech. She provided his ex, Marflene Cricchiola, with information about where Grech kept his cash, and told him his location on the night of the burglary. Over €13,000 was stolen.
Court of Magistrates (Malta) — Criminal · Magistrate Dr. Monica Vella LL.D., M.Jur. · 4 June 2025
In the early hours of 24 November 2019, Ryan Grech's flat in Zejtun was burgled while he was out at a bar. Over €13,400 in cash was taken from his bedroom. Nicole Vassallo, who had recently lived with Grech, was suspected because the intruder knew exactly where to search — only the bedroom was touched. Phone records showed Vassallo was in contact with Marflene Cricchiola — the father of her child — at the time of the burglary. Cricchiola had approached her beforehand asking if Grech had money. DNA from a glove found in the building linked Cricchiola's associate Victor Degabriele to the scene. In her police statement, Vassallo admitted speaking to Cricchiola and telling him where Grech lived, though she claimed she didn't know exactly where the money was kept. The court found this claim unconvincing — finding she actively helped plan and facilitate the burglary by providing key information including Grech's location on the night. Vassallo registered a late guilty plea at a very advanced stage of proceedings — after the case had already been left for sentencing. The court declined to credit this as meaningful mitigation, finding it was purely tactical to obtain a sentencing reduction.
Guilty as accomplice to aggravated theft. Sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for 1 year. Ordered to pay half of expert costs: €457.60.
Criminal Code Ch. 9 Arts. 42 (complicity), 43, 261, 263, 264, 278-281, 284 — complicity in aggravated theft