A man was yesterday jailed for four years after he admitted to breaking into a car during the operative time of a suspended jail term.

John Bugeja, 37, of Paola pleaded guilty to stealing a stereo from a van, damaging the vehicle, committing the crime during a two-year suspended jail term and relapsing on April 16.

Before handing down judgement Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard probation officer Marietta Lanzon, who compiled a pre-sentencing inquiry report, explain that Mr Bugeja had a problematic upbringing which led to social and personality problems.

He had been taking drugs for 22 years and, although having tried several rehabilitation programmes to overcome his habit, he never did.

When he entered a home or shelter to attend a programme he initially seemed to do well but, when he left the home, he did not cope with the responsibility and started using drugs again.

Ms Lanzon recommended that, at this stage, Mr Bugeja ought to be jailed for a period of time that would allow him to complete a programme.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera noted that Mr Bugeja, who was defined as a "chronic relapser", had 16 convictions on his record. Although he had been given several opportunities by the courts he never took them up.

She jailed him for two years and ordered that the two-year suspended jail term be put into effect, bringing his total term to four years in jail.

Police Inspector Mario Bonello prosecuted.