A “hungry” and desperate unemployed man admitted to robbing a jewellery shop in what he said was a stupid thing to do.

Simon Callus, 29, of Ħamrun, walked into Classic Jewellers in Bisazza Street, Sliema, on Tuesday afternoon and, with his face uncovered and one hand in his pocket, told the salesgirl, 30-year-old Liza Scerri, he had a penknife.

Police Inspector Jason Sultana said Mr Callus held the salesgirl and demanded €600 but left with €130. He was caught by the police a short time later.

Legal aid lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores said his client had committed the crime because he was hungry and had to eat. Such was his desperation that he had entered the shop without covering his face and, in fact, he had no penknife.

“I’m sorry but I will pay the money back,” Mr Callus said, adding that getting a job should have been his only option.

Magistrate Anthony Vella handed down a two-year jail term suspended for four and ordered him to return the stolen money.