A court yesterday refused bail to a confessed burglar who has been through four rehabilitation programmes but has not managed to give up his drug habit.

Aaron Ritchie, 24, pleaded guilty to breaking into a villa at Swieqi and stealing less than €2,239 worth of items on November 2 at around 1.30 a.m. He also admitted to breaching the conditions of a previous release and relapsing.

In pleas on punishment, defence lawyer Chris Cardona said jailing Mr Ritchie would not help his drug addiction problem.

The defence asked for a pre-sentencing report to be presented before judgment is handed down, while requesting bail until sentencing.

Protesting the request for bail, Police Inspector Anthony Portelli argued that the last thing that was needed was for the accused to leave more victims in his wake, adding that Mr Ritchie was not willing to kick his drug habit.

Mr Ritchie was remanded in custody until sentencing later this month.

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