The thief whose photograph made the rounds on Facebook as he was burgling a villa in Mellieha was this afternoon jailed for a year after pleaded guilty.

Jason Scerri, 40, from Balzan, also admitted to being a relapser, to breaching bail conditions over a separate case and to breaching a court order.

Before Magistrate Francesco Depasquale, Mr Scerri pleaded guilty to stealing €2,060 worth of gold and cash from the villa in Santa Maria Estate.
The police traced the accused because of a distinctive tattoo of playing cards on his arm.

Magistrate Depasquale noted that the man had a long criminal history and was well-known to the police. Defence lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace said her client was a drug addict who was trying to kick the habit.
Despite this, the court jailed him for a year.

Police Inspector Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted.

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