A drug addict who tried to steal scrap metal radiators from his father’s company was yesterday jailed for three years and his partner-in-crime was condition-ally discharged.

Joseph Bonnett, 34, from Marsascala, told police he had only taken what was owed to him by his father.

The other man, Paul Camilleri, 32, from Cospicua, admitted to helping Mr Bonnett load the radiators into the car.

Police Inspector Kevin Pulis testified that a phone call at about midnight on Monday indicated there were two suspicious men in a scrapyard in Birżebbuġa.

Officers sent on site found the car belonging to Mr Bonnett but the accused were nowhere to be seen.

They were found a short time later in Żejtun.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia spoke in no uncertain terms to the accused, warning them that they could be jailed. As is standard procedure, he gave them the opportunity to reconfirm their plea, which they both did.

In submissions on punishment, Mr Pulis said that this was a “classic” case of two men with a drug addiction who needed money to sustain the habit.

He noted that it was Mr Bonnett’s eighth similar case.

Both men had fully cooperated during the investigations, the inspector said.

Magistrate Farrugia conditionally discharged Mr Camilleri for three years while Mr Bonnett was jailed for three years.

He told Mr Bonnett that he faced a far longer term but because he had admitted at an early stage this was reduced.

On the other hand, Mr Bonnett had a string of related convictions.

Addressing Mr Camilleri, the magistrate said that he had to kick the habit, but must realise that he could not do it by himself.