A drug addict yesterday admitted stealing fuel because he needed money to pay debts and sustain his addiction.

Martin Joseph Xuereb, 40, of Cospicua, was jailed for three years and seven months.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea heard that Mr Xuereb stole the fuel from heavy vehicles parked at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, towns and villages including at the Marsa abattoir, and at the industrial estates in Bulebel, Żabbar and Mosta in recent months.

He also admitted driving without a licence, relapsing, committing the crime while on bail and when he had been granted suspended jail terms.

He told us he would like to overcome the drug problem

Police Inspectors Jurgen Vella and Spiridione Zammit said the accused had a drug problem, was going through a rough patch with his family, and had cooperated with them. He helped them expose crimes they did not even know about, they said.

“We also care about the state of the accused. He told us why he stole. First because he’s in debt and, secondly, because he is an addict. He told us he would like to overcome the drug problem,” the officers said.

Lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar said his client had told him he was willing to spend some time in jail to be able to pull himself together.

Magistrate Galea noted that she had no choice but to impose a jail term, as the accused had failed to take opportunities given to him by the court to reform himself.

She recommended he start attending a drug rehabilitation programme before jailing him for three years and adding another seven months in relation to the suspended jail terms.

Mr Xuereb was also banned from driving for a year.