A Libyan man was yesterday jailed for four years after he admitted to carrying out four armed robberies in April and making off with around €15,000.

Bashir Abu Gasem Al Hariri, 35, who is unemployed, sat in the dock looking gaunt and wearing a shirt ironically emblazoned with the words: "You make your own destiny".

He pleaded guilty to carrying out the armed robberies on April 4, at the gaming arcade Fairplay in San Ġwann; on April 7, at Fairplay in Birkirkara; on April 17 at Ambassador in Qawra and on April 19, at Playline in Marsa. He also admitted to an attempted hold-up at Fairplay in Paola on April 21 and to holding the various employees of the arcades at gun point.

At the start of the arraignment proceedings, Police Inspectors Keith Arnaud, Joseph Mercieca and legal aid lawyer Patrick Valentino approached the bench to discuss punishment.

Police Inspector Mercieca said the amount taken not just by the accused but by others who are still under investigation reached the €15,000 mark.

Before handing down judgement, Magistrate Antonio Vella took into consideration the fact that Mr Al Hariri filed an early guilty plea, had a clean police record and had cooperated with the police in their investigations.

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