A man has been jailed for seven years for stealing from petrol stations because of the “crippling costs of cancer treatment” for his wife.

Glen Debattista, 54, of Sta Venera, his 22-year-old son Ryan, of Mosta, and Matthew Portelli, 27, of San Ġwann, had been charged with stealing from seven petrol stations.

The trio racked up 34 charges, including stealing and destroying a van, stealing number plates and petrol from seven petrol stations between September and November 2011.

When they were first arraigned, the court heard how Mr Debattista had started stealing from petrol stations because of the costs for his wife’s cancer treatment. She has since died.

Mr Debattista’s son had admitted to the charges and was given a two-year jail term suspended for four years. Mr Portelli’s case is still pending.

In February last year, Mr Debattista admitted to stealing €330,000 worth of antique jewellery together with his son and their friend Carmel Hartley, 40, from Pjazza Antiques in South Street in August 2011.

Mr Debattista and Mr Hartley were jailed for three years each while his son got a two-year jail term, suspended for four years and a €500 fine.