A magistrate yesterday had stern words for a 20-year-old man who admitted ransacking an elderly woman’s house on Sunday, stealing almost all her jewellery.

“This is your last chance. You either get your life back on track or else you’ll appear before me again and I would have no option but to jail you for five or six years. Then don’t come crying afterwards,” Magistrate Ian Farrugia told the youth. 

He placed him on probation for three years after he heard him plead guilty to his involvement in the robbery in Misraħ Lewza in San Ġwann.

If he breaches even one of the directives I will lock him up

His alleged partner-in-crime, a teenager who cannot be named by court order, denied the robbery charge. He also pleaded not guilty to breaching the conditions of two previous releases and breaching his bail conditions over another criminal case.

His request for bail was turned down and he was remanded in custody.

Magistrate Farrugia also addressed the 20-year-old’s mother, who was in court, telling her: “This time I placed him on probation. But if he breaches even one of the directives given to him by his probation officer, he will come back here and I’ll lock him up.”

Police inspector Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted. Lawyer Carina Najiah represented the 20-year-old, while lawyer Marion Camilleri appeared for the teenager.