A man who has been addicted to drugs since he was 13 years old this afternoon admitted in court to breaking into 24 cars and stealing from 11 of them on December 8.

Christopher Borg, 35, from Siggiewi, pleaded guilty to breaking into the cars parked at the Qormi Park and Ride, the LIDL Supermarket Qormi car park and in Triq ir-Ramlija in Siggiewi, close to where he lives.

From the cars he stole cash, a fire extinguisher, CDs, a bracelet, a digital camera, a stereo and even a TV remote control.

Inspector Carlos Cordina said the accused was caught after he was identified from CCTV footage of the two car parks as well as CCTV of a shop in Siggiewi.

The man had cuts to his hands, which would explain the blood found around the cars.

Mr Borg, who looks after his sick mother, pleaded guilty to all 48 charges brought against him, including being a relapser and breaching the conditions of a previous release.

Lawyer Christopher Chircop explained that the accused had been a drug user since his teens and apologised to the victims for his actions. He argued that society had failed the accused.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja ordered he be remanded in custody pending the delivery of his punishment on Friday.