A couple who until a month ago were living in a garage with their two children were jailed yesterday for breaching bail conditions.

Josef Sharfid, 35, who is still living in the Marsascala garage, and his pregnant girlfriend Natasha Mullaney, 30, of Marsa, pleaded guilty to the charge as they sat in the dock looking dishevelled.

At one point, Ms Mullaney, sitting next to her large bright pink handbag, broke down in tearless sobs and was comforted by Mr Sharfid who put his arm around her.

The couple breached their bail conditions by escaping from police custody when officers followed up a warrant for their arrest on Thursday evening. It was not said what they were arrested for.

Their lawyer, Edward Gatt, told Magistrate Giovanni Grixti his clients could, by law, be fined instead of jailed. Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca was having none of it though, arguing there was no option but to jail them because every time they were given a chance they committed offences “left, right and centre”.

Magistrate Grixti looked at the bail conditions they had been given on February 23, when they were charged with petty theft. He said the other court had probably heard about the couple’s problems, especially since they had been granted bail against a deposit of just €100.

Dr Gatt said the couple were “dealing with the lowest ebb”. This was a social case at its worst, which encapsulated everything, including drug addiction, housing issues and even their two children.

Ms Mullaney has now moved into a flat with her two children.

Magistrate Grixti jailed her for two months while Mr Sharfid was imprisoned for six months.

Lawyer Joseph Arrigo also appeared for the couple.