A 16-year-old boy was yesterday given a suspended jail term after he admitted to stealing three mobile phones and slightly injuring a man.

The boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, stole the phones on July 26 at about 10 p.m. from the Mosta boċċi club together with another two teenagers. His accomplices, Aaron Brydon, 18, and Matthew Borg, 19, both of Mosta admitted to the theft last week and were placed under probation for three years.

All three injured the boy as they took the phones from him.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera told the boy to pull up his socks and “help himself so that society can help him”. After taking into consideration the fact that he had cooperated with the police and that he was still underage, the magistrate handed down an eight-month jail term suspended for two years.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.

Lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared for the accused.