A drug addict was today jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty to stealing a cheque book and a multi-tool from a car parked in Siggiewi. 

Magistrate Doreen Clarke jailed Roderick Tabone, a 27-year-old Freeport employee, after noting how he had been given various opportunities to address his drug addiction problem but never took advantage of the chances. 

She said it was only through an effective prison term that Mr Tabone could seriously address his problem. He had previously been conditionally discharged and also given probation orders to have someone guide and help him.

He had started a drug rehabilitation programme several times but never completed any of them as he would either give up and leave or else get expelled from the programme for breaching the rules and regulations. 

The magistrate said it was evident that the only way Mr Tabone could seriously address his drug addiction problem was with an effective jail term. 

She was handing down judgment after Mr Tabone pleaded guilty to stealing a pouch containing a cheque book and a multi-tool from a car on May 22. He also admitted to damaging the car and to committing a crime while on probation. 

The magistrate said Mr Tabone continued to abuse of drugs even while his probation officer was compiling a pre-sentencing report with her recommendations on the punishment. This gave the court no option but to impose a 16-month effective jail term with a recommendation to the prison authorities to help the man address his addiction. 

Mr Tabone was last week placed on probation for three years after admitting to having helped himself to items belonging to swimmers at Golden Bay. 

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the man. 

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