A man has been jailed for two years while another was handed a suspended sentence after they pleaded guilty to a string of handbag thefts last month.

Sandro Mifsud, 41, from Sliema, and Stephen Stellini, 33, from Qormi, pleaded guilty to stealing handbags on five occasions from Gżira, where they struck twice, Blata l-Bajda, Msida and Qormi.

The men also pleaded guilty to stealing a mobile phone and relapsing and to breaching previous court orders while Mr Mifsud alone was found guilty of breaching bail conditions.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja heard the men change their plea to guilty. He jailed Mr Mifsud for 19 months for the thefts, plus a further two months for breaching the conditions of a previous release and three months for breaching bail, for a total of 24 months in prison.

Mr Stellini, who the court heard only had two cases dating back to 1997 and 2005, was jailed for two years suspended for four and was ordered to start and complete a drug rehabilitation programme.

Police inspector Arthur Mercieca prosecuted while lawyer Christopher Chircop appeared for the men.

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