An alcoholic thief who would casually walk into restaurants and make off with handbags was yesterday jailed for 18 months after admitting that he resorted to theft to pay for drink.

George Grech, 52, from Cospicua, stole the bags from popular restaurants such as The Avenue in Paceville and the Kings Own band club in Republic Street, Valletta, taking seven altogether.

The court heard that the crimes were carried out between April 3 and last Saturday, with the total value of the handbags reaching about €1,500.

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