A driver was caught trying to escape from a police roadblock after having stolen a number of copper pipes worth more than €2,000, a court heard.

The court jailed Anthony Abela, 44, from Qormi, three years, after ruling that he had been given a number of opportunities to reform but had never taken advantage of them.

He had also committed the crime at 1am when he was meant to be at home while on bail over a different case.

Mr Abela was found guilty of stealing the pipes from a construction site in Albert Town, Marsa, on the night of April 1, 2014.

The police had set up a roadblock in the area, the court heard.

At one point they saw a Hyundai Lantra heading towards them but it stopped, switched off its headlights and started reversing away.

The police officers at the roadblock also heard the sound of falling metal.

They chased the car and the driver was arrested. Outside the car they found several copper pipes.

Apart from being put behind bars, the man’s driving licence was withdrawn for a year and his bail over the other case was revoked.

Police Inspectors Hubert Cini and Spiridione Zammit prosecuted.