A serial thief who last Tuesday stole €15,000 worth of items from a jewellery shop soon after leaving a court hearing was jailed for four years by a court today.

None of the stolen valuables have been retrieved except for €340 in cash.

Carmel Mugliett, 53, from Marsascala, yesterday admitted all charges in connection with a theft from Pavilion Jewellers in Republic Street, Valletta on Tuesday at about 10.30am.

However, the court presided by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli had put off the case hearing for this morning, when the accused reconfirmed his guilty plea and was sentenced to jail. Nevertheless, a few moments later he told the court he would be appealing.

Sources said the theft occurred when the man entered the outlet pretending to be interested in purchasing an item. While leaving the shop seemingly empty handed, he was caught with two hand watches hidden in his jacket.

Though he apologised and returned the items immediately, a few moments later he was inexplicably still around and got hold of the showcase keys. Sources said they had been left unattended for a few seconds. They added that the man got hold of a number of expensive rings and absconded. However, the man who is well known to the police due to his long list of convictions was traced a few hours later after being identified from the shops security cameras.

Police inspectors Jeffrey Scicluna and Daryl Borg led the prosecution while lawyer Martin Fenech was legal aid.