A man committed two hold-ups using an axe and a butcher's knife in a span of three days from the same grocery shop at St Julian's.

Mark Saviour Borg, 48 from St Julian's, today pleaded guilty to the hold-up of a Makaras establishment on May 13 and of the attempted hold-up of the same store on May 16.

Prosecuting officers Fabian Fleri and Trevor Micallef told the court that during the first hold-up, the man made off with around €600. The man’s uncovered face was captured on CCTV footage as he passed by the shop.

The accused’s second attempt was foiled when the shop attendant resisted, forcing the accused to flee the scene empty-handed, in the process leaving his knife behind.

Upon being arrested, the accused cooperated immediately and admitted to the charges brought against him.

The thefts were committed to fund his drug habit, the prosecution said, adding that it would be satisfied with a jail term of three and a half years.

Inspector Micallef also suggested that the court recommend that the accused enroll in a drug rehabilitation programme in prison. The accused had expressed his willingness to undertake the programme.

Legal aid lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace did not request bail but underscored the fact that he cooperated with the police, entered an early guilty plea and did not waste the court’s resources.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras will be handing down the judgment on Monday.