A thief who stole 16 gas cylinders from homes across Malta was yesterday jailed for 20 months after he also admitted to relapsing.

James Abela, 35, also known as Jimmy, was caught on CCTV cameras on Sunday at 4.34 p.m. taking a gas cylinder from inside a garage adjoining a villa in Attard, Police Inspector Bernard Spiteri said.

Investigations into the theft led the police to discover that Mr Abela had stolen no fewer than 16 gas cylinders from eight towns and villages, the officer added.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech, on behalf of Mr Abela, entered a guilty plea to 11 counts of theft and relapsing between November 17 and last Sunday.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera jailed him for 20 months after taking into consideration his criminal record.

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