‘Career thief’ jailed for stealing an iPad

A man was jailed for nine months for stealing an Apple iPad from a car parked in Sliema on Wednesday.

Renald Rotin, 31, of Żabbar pleaded guilty to stealing the computer tablet and relapsing.

Police Inspector Saviour Baldacchino told the court that Mr Rotin had cooperated with the police and returned the iPad to its owner.

He said the accused had a series of theft convictions on his criminal record and stole to sustain his heroin habit.

Mr Rotin’s lawyer, Patrick Valentino, pointed out that, given his client’s cooperation and early guilty plea, he should benefit from a punishment below the minimum of nine months.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti poin­ted out that Mr Rotin had “a theft career” listed on his criminal record.

The magistrate noted that, although the iPad cost about €800, such technological gadgets often contained information that was priceless to an individual.