Six months jail for theft

A 31-year-old man was jailed for six months after he admitted to stealing over €116.50 (Lm50) worth of items from a woman in Paradise Bay.

Philip Mario Chircop of Cospicua admitted to stealing the items at 1 p.m. on July, 16, last year, and relapsing.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli took into consideration the fact that Mr Chircop had been given enough time to reform.

Testifying, psychiatrist Joseph Spiteri said Mr Chircop suffered from depression due to his drug problem and difficulties relating to his family.

In view of what the court described as his "voluminous" criminal record, it felt that there was no other option but to imprison Mr Chircop. The court also made a recommendation to the Director of Prisons for Mr Chircop to continue the drug rehabilitation programme he is following.

Police Inspector Johann Fenech prosecuted. Lawyer Mark Busuttil was defence counsel.