Man jailed for stealing antique gramophone

A man will be spending the next six months in jail after starting the Christmas season on a bad note when he was arraigned yesterday for stealing his neighbour's antique gramophone to fuel his drug habit.

However, it could have been worse: changing his plea to guilty meant he got off with a lighter sentence.

James Abela had at first pleaded not guilty to stealing the gramophone. However, after Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera denied him bail on hearing that he was already out on bail on other charges, he decided to plead guilty.

Looking dishevelled and wearing a bandage around his left wrist, Mr Abela was facing between five months and four years in jail for the theft, which was carried out last month from a house four doors down from where he lives.

On handing down sentence Magistrate Scerri Herrera told Mr Abela that he was a lucky man and should thank his lawyer as he had faced four years in jail for relapsing.

The court also took into consideration that the gramophone is worth €116 and that the item has since been returned to its owner.

Police Inspector Sandra Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyer Martin Fenech appeared as legal aid to Mr Abela.