Burglar jailed

An Italian man was yesterday jailed for four years after he pleaded guilty to burgling three houses over the past two months.

As Salvatore Ciranna, 30, was being escorted out of the courtroom by the police he clapped sarcastically to the judgment handed down by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti.

On Tuesday, Mr Ciranna pleaded guilty to stealing from the three houses and causing damage between January 9 and February 13.

When asked if he had any submissions to make, the accused, who chose not to be represented by a lawyer, called on the court not to throw him in jail as he had a drug addiction problem and needed to be in the community.

Magistrate Grixti noted that Mr Ciranna was a relapser and had been previously convicted for theft.

Police Inspectors Raymond Cassar and Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.