Raymond Sultana, 53, today admitted in court that he committed yesterday's hold-up at a lotto office in Burmarrad, because he had 'no job, no home and no food'.

Mr Sultana was arrested within minutes of the failed hold-up at 5.30 p.m. after the police intercepted his car at T'Alla w-Ommu Hill.

He admitted in court today that he had entered the lotto office brandishing a knife, held Maria Aloysia Suda against her will, and demanded cash.

She resisted and he dashed off in a car.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino told the court that the number plate of his car was noted. The police quickly deployed officers at roundabouts and the car was stopped at nearby T'Alla w-Ommu hill.

Even before being asked anything, Mr Sultana immediately told the police that "it was him."

Defence lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar said the accused, who is from Sta Lucia, had done what he did in order to eat and because he had recently lost his job and also had no home.

Magistrate Dorreen Clarke jailed him for three years.