A drug addict who botched chances he was given to reform has been sentenced to six years in jail for helping his girlfriend steal a ring and relapsing.

Kenneth Borg, 36, from Rabat, waited in his car while Miriam Caruana tried to pull the wool over the eyes of two jewellers who were showing her rings in September 2010, the court heard.

She tried on one ring and then asked to see another before hiding it as the jeweller was fetching the one she asked for from the safe.

An argument ensued when the jeweller noticed the ring was no longer on her finger and Ms Caruana insisted she had given it back.

She then walked to the front door of the shop as the jeweller threatened to call the police.

Ms Caruana walked out, went to the car in which Mr Borg was waiting and gave him the ring, in full view of the jewellers. One of them approached Mr Borg and asked to see what he was holding and the accused reacted by swearing.

The jeweller noted the number plate of the car before Mr Borg drove away, leaving Ms Caruana behind. The police arrived and she was told to phone Mr Borg who returned with the ring.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia noted that, since 2007, Mr Borg had been sentenced to jail twice, been given two suspended jail terms and was also conditionally discharged.

He said Mr Borg refused to change his ways and decided to bring into force the two suspended jail terms, bringing the total amount of time behind bars to six years.

The case against Ms Caruana is pending.

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