A drug addict who helped his girlfriend steal a ring in September 2010 was today sentenced to six years in jail.

Kenneth Borg, 36, from Rabat, waited in his car while Miriam Caruana tried to give two jewellers the impression she was interested in buying a ring.

Ms Caruana tried a ring and hid it in her pocket and when asked for it by the jeweller she insisted she had given it back. She walked out, over to the car where Mr Borg was sitting and gave him the ring, in full view of the jewellers.

One approached Mr Borg and asked him to open his hand but he began swearing at her.

The jeweller took note of the number plate and Mr Borg eventually returned the ring.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia said since 2007, Mr Borg had been in jail twice, he had been given two suspended jail terms and was also conditionally discharged since 2007.

From what it seemed, he said, Mr Borg refused to reform and he brought into force the two suspended jail terms. The case against Ms Caruana is pending.