A Somali man who the police saw trying to break into a house in Marsa yesterday evening escaped, but was arrested on a bus, a court heard today.

The man was jailed for a year.

Mustafa Mohamud Mohamed, 26, who lives in Zebbug, Gozo, was seen trying to break into a house in Zerafa Street. The owners are currently living at the St Vincent de Paule home for the elderly.

As soon as he saw the police car which was on patrol, he let go of his tools and fled. He was seen getting on a bus and was eventually apprehended.

Before Magistrate Gabriella Vella, the man pleaded guilty to the charges, including breach of two conditional discharges over property damage and possession of cannabis in August and October last year.

The magistrate jailed him for six months over yesterday's attempted theft, another six months over the property damage case and fined him €466 for breaching the conditional discharge in connection with the cannabis possession.

Police Inspectors Edel Mary Camilleri and Robert Vella prosecuted while lawyer martin Fenech appeared for the accused.

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