A man was jailed for two years for attempting to steal a number of sheep from a farm in Żurrieq three years ago.

Richard Calleja, 33, from Msida, was found guilty after the court heard that a police car on patrol had seen him loading sheep on to his Isuzu van on the night of November 4, 2011.

Although the sheep were never found in his possession because the police had not given chase, the court found him guilty “based on circumstantial evidence”.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia heard that the police were on patrol that evening and saw a man loading sheep on to a van. Soon after, they received a call from the police headquarters regarding an alleged theft.

As they were driving back, they saw the truck being driven in the opposite direction.

When Mr Calleja was arrested, he admitted that he was driving the van but denied that he had stolen or tried to steal any sheep.

However, the court noted the police testimony and Mr Calleja’s declaration that the van was in his possession, and ruled that this evidence was enough to find him guilty of the charge.

Although he was cleared of being a relapser, the court said Mr Calleja had been given various chances to reform but he had not taken advantage of them.

The magistrate therefore jailed him, after noting that he had committed the crime during the operative term of a probation order.